Buyer 2, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

About the role

Join the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology Purchasing Team and play a key role in keeping UW Medicine’s clinical and research labs running. As a Buyer 2, you will support patient care and groundbreaking research by sourcing critical supplies, equipment, and services for one of the region’s most advanced diagnostic laboratory systems. Every purchase you make directly impacts timely test results, clinical workflows, patient care, and research across five hospital/clinical sites and 40+ laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Commit orders to vendors; prepare electronic purchase orders that are procedurally and grammatically correct; assure contract and/or specification compliance; devise evaluation tools to assist clients/end‑users in selection of alternate products.
• Provide prompt and courteous responses to inquiries, requests and appointments.
• Monitor purchasing queue daily and review purchase requests for compliance; assist requestors with completing procurement process (e.g., obtaining official quotes, sole‑source justification statement).
• Advise clients/end‑users of existing or potential policies and/or procedures that may impact their purchase requests.
• Monitor purchase orders and communicate status to relevant divisions on a consistent basis.
• Resolve any vendor performance problems.
• Resolve all types of purchase order invoicing issues and credit holds.
• Coordinate with clients/end‑users their requirements; participate in drafting technical specifications; recommend technical assistance; propose standardization of goods when appropriate.
• Make regularly assigned visitations to the labs or participate as required in departmental presentations aimed at increasing communication/education goals.
• Exhibit a willingness to handle a fair share of the departmental workload as identified by management; participate as required in back‑up and fill‑in plans.
• Survey and analyze procedures and procurement processes; prepare findings and reports and recommend improvements to management.
• Strive to develop professional skills that result in more efficient performance by keeping up with technological and market development within a divisional assignment.
• Develop specific knowledge of State, University, UW Medicine and departmental policies and procedures.
• Participate in routine departmental operations in a timely and productive manner (e.g., management reports, public bid openings, contract maintenance).
• Actively participate in long‑term planning.
• Perform miscellaneous assigned tasks and projects.

Requirements

• At least one (1) year of experience as a professional‑level buyer.
• Either an Associate of Arts degree in purchasing management or a bachelor’s degree, OR an equivalent combination of work experience and college‑level training.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when legal requirements (such as a license, certification, and/or registration) apply.

Benefits

• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays.
• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities.
• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U‑PASS) covering multiple forms of public transportation in the region.
• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Free fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress‑reduction classes offered through the Whole U.
• Additional benefits and perks (“much more”).

Pay

Hourly rate range: $24.60 – $35.21.

Schedule

Full‑time (100% FTE), Monday – Friday, day shift, with occasional telework.

About the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

The Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at UW Medicine is a regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for innovative patient care, research and educational programs. It combines sophisticated testing and informatics capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic institution to deliver clinical and anatomic pathology services. Recognized for excellence in clinical training, world‑class research initiatives, and a commitment to community service, the department serves labs and medical facilities both nationally and internationally.

About UW Medicine

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top‑rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. Its mission is to improve public health by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists, and other health professionals. With nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators, UW Medicine operates hospitals, primary‑care centers, and other health services across the region.