Buyer

About the role

The Buyer procures goods and services on behalf of the organization while ensuring purchasing policies, procedures, and compliance requirements are followed. This role reviews and processes requisitions and purchase orders, obtains quotes, supports sourcing and negotiation activities, resolves purchasing issues, communicates with vendors and internal customers, and helps maintain a clean purchase order-to-payment process. The Buyer is expected to manage workload independently, meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy, provide team coverage, and support special projects as assigned.

A typical day might include

• Review, prepare, and process requisitions and purchase orders in accordance with organizational purchasing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Obtain quotes, support sourcing activities, and assist with vendor negotiations to promote cost savings, cost avoidance, and policy compliance.
• Monitor purchase order confirmations and follow up with vendors or internal teams to resolve discrepancies, corrections, or required database updates.
• Resolve match exceptions and identify root causes to reduce recurring purchasing or payment issues.
• Communicate delays, complications, and status updates to management, end users, vendors, and other stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
• Manage assigned workload independently while meeting timelines, deadlines, and departmental performance standards with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, management, vendors, facilities, and third-party organizations through clear communication and timely follow-up.
• Prepare updates, emails, reports, and other communications in a clear, accurate, and effective manner.
• Provide team coverage and support departmental initiatives, special projects, process improvements, and operational priorities as needed.
• May perform other duties as assigned or directed by management.

This role may be for you if

• You have a strong customer service orientation.
• You have strong problem-solving skills and can identify root causes to reduce recurring issues.
• You stay organized and focused, even when juggling multiple priorities.
• You bring confidence to the offer process and follow through with urgency.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in business, supply chain, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred.
• Supply chain, purchasing, procurement, or healthcare materials management certification preferred, if applicable.
• Minimum of two years of purchasing, procurement, materials management, accounts payable, customer service, or related office business experience required.
• Healthcare purchasing experience preferred.
• Experience with PeopleSoft or a comparable ERP/procurement system preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Required skills

• Knowledge of purchasing, procurement, requisition, purchase order, and vendor follow-up processes.
• Ability to interpret and follow purchasing policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when processing transactions, reconciling information, and resolving exceptions.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage competing deadlines, and maintain productivity in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with internal customers, vendors, coworkers, and management.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and reconcile figures accurately.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn ERP, purchasing, and workflow systems.
• Problem-solving skills to identify root causes and reduce recurring process issues.
• Professional judgment, customer service orientation, and ability to remain composed when addressing escalated or time-sensitive issues.
• Flexibility to provide staffing support during departmental needs, emergencies, or disaster response situations.

Pay

$24.20 – $31.39 per hour. The compensation offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills, and professional experience.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time)
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Benefits (like Pet Insurance)
• Discounts with local partners (e.g., NJ Devils, NJPAC, Verizon)
• Community involvement and volunteer opportunities