Pharmacy Program Manager Clinical - Purchasing

About the role

Vanderbilt Health operates eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, making it the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. With a long tradition of providing world-class care to the Mid-South, its mission is to move medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. The organization fosters a collaborative, supportive community where expertise is valued, knowledge expanded, and uniqueness celebrated.

The Pharmacy Program Manager Clinical plans, develops, and executes ongoing programs that impact a significant segment of the organization under occasional guidance. This highly visible role focuses on medication purchasing, sourcing, supply continuity, and drug shortage management across the health system. The incumbent serves as a key liaison between pharmacy operations, wholesalers, manufacturers, vendors, and clinical teams to ensure a reliable medication supply while driving cost‑saving initiatives and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Assist with leading system‑wide drug shortage management efforts, including facilitating regular drug shortage meetings and providing updates to pharmacy stakeholders.
• Proactively monitor medication supply trends, emerging shortages, inventory concerns, and market conditions.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to maintain medication availability and minimize disruptions to patient care.
• Build and maintain relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, 503B outsourcing facilities, and other vendors to support supply continuity.
• Oversee 503B vendor relationships, reserve inventory, and designated inventory stock levels to ensure appropriate supply management.
• Review wholesaler out‑of‑stock reports and identify alternative sourcing opportunities.
• Evaluate medication costs, pricing discrepancies, and purchasing strategies while identifying opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Manage drug pricing inquiries and ensure accurate pricing data is maintained within purchasing systems.
• Coordinate bulk purchasing initiatives and support supply planning across hospital and clinic locations.
• Serve as a liaison for sourcing and purchasing activities across hospital and clinic settings.
• Participate in operational meetings and collaborate with key stakeholders to address supply chain challenges and implement solutions.
• Lead or support quality improvement projects and product implementation initiatives, ensuring project milestones and timelines are achieved.
• Provide coverage and support for pharmacy buyers and system support technicians as needed, including weekend ordering support and continuity of operations during staff absences.
• Professionally communicate with pharmacists, technicians, leaders, vendors, and customers across all hospitals and clinics regarding supply issues, shortages, and mitigation plans.
• Provide budgetary management to the program.
• Provide training and guidance for individuals supporting the program.
• Promote growth and expansion of the program.
• Oversee the creation, coordination, and execution of the program.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position; additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Certified Pharmacy Technician credential through the PTCB or NHA (LIC‑Pharmacy Technician – Tennessee).
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant pharmacy experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and drive projects to completion.
• Graduate of an approved discipline‑specific program.

Qualifications

• Hospital/inpatient pharmacy experience.
• Pharmacy purchasing, inventory management, or medication sourcing experience in a hospital or retail setting.
• Experience managing or responding to medication shortages and supply chain disruptions.
• Project management or process improvement experience.

Skills

• Networking (Intermediate): Build relationships through industry contacts, professional organizations, and