Buyer - Supply Chain Management

To be fully engaged in providing high performing Procurement Services to Health First, focused on No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship. The Buyer is responsible for all aspects of the procurement process for assigned product and/or service categories, including requisition processing, placing purchase orders, confirmation follow-up, invoice resolution, and expediting purchase orders for Health First business entities.

Responsibilities

• Proactively works with customers and suppliers to ensure the correct product or service for assigned categories is ordered in a timely manner for the intended application.
• Works in a non-intrusive manner with customers to support the adoption of product formularies based upon demonstrated best clinical practice.
• Follows established Health First policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines.
• Provides clerical support for the creation of routine purchase orders.
• Supports the acquisition of product-related data (e.g., photographs, specifications, packaging) or background vendor information (e.g., W-9) upon request from members of the procurement team or other customers.
• Correctly reports in good faith any violation of compliance policies or ethics violations.
• Identifies product substitutions as appropriate for savings or to avoid supply shortages.
• Acts as a fiduciary agent for Health First to promote the efficient utilization of material and resources.
• Enforces health system policies and procedures, including those associated with financial controls, business ethics, and procurement.
• Proactively works to achieve performance metrics established for procurement services as formally set annually by the Director, Strategic Sourcing and/or Vice President of Supply Chain.
• Notifies Purchasing Supervisor of opportunities to improve productivity of the purchasing function (e.g., identification of inefficient suppliers, item number utilization).
• Identifies opportunities to reduce non-contract spend with Supervisor and requisitioners to ensure the majority of goods and services are purchased via a market-competitive contract.
• Creates Purchase Orders for assigned areas of responsibility and provides support to other areas as needed.
• Expedites shipments of supplies and equipment to avoid operational disruptions such as supply shortages to end-users.
• Reviews back-order reports on a daily basis for product categories or suppliers assigned by Supervisor.
• Prioritizes order placement and expediting functions based upon impact to patient care (quality) and financial impact (stewardship).
• Monitors departmental e-mail box to ensure prompt responses to customer inquiries.
• Supports ongoing Health First change initiatives and organizational messages; communicates and engages proactively with associates, vendors, and leadership.
• Increases use of electronic requisitioning and/or automated supply replenishment systems to reduce operating costs and allow care providers to focus on patient care.
• Effectively manages average cycle time from requisition receipt in supply chain administration to the release of a purchase order (excluding capital) based upon departmental performance targets.
• Processes product Returns to Vendor (“RTVs”) in a timely manner.
• Resolves invoice match exceptions within three days of receipt.
• Collaborates with Accounts Payable team to set up and maintain vendors based upon established procedures.
• Identifies non-efficient suppliers to Purchasing Supervisor or appropriate Contract Specialist.
• Provides additions, deletions, and enhancements to Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system’s item file.
• Performs other duties in Purchasing and Contracting as assigned, including assisting other associates providing Buyer functions when necessary due to workload.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum two years of previous purchasing experience required.
• Demonstrated PC skills with a focus on Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with a contemporary Enterprise Resource Planning system is desirable (e.g., PeopleSoft, Lawson).
• Able to communicate effectively in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Generally exposed to a normal office environment.
• May be required at times to assist in inventory functions which may require lifting up to 25 lbs.

Mental Demands

• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment with frequent interruptions.
• Excellent time management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently within a broad scope of guidelines and established policies and goals.

Benefits

At Health First, diversity and inclusion are essential for our continued growth and evolution. Working together, we strive to build and nurture a culture that recognizes, encourages, and respects the diverse voices of our associates. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more collaborative work environment that delivers better results. As an organization, it fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our associates, customers, and the communities we serve.

Schedule

Full-Time, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM