Sourcing Specialist

About the Role

Responsible for management of a defined portfolio of products and services as part of the overall contract portfolio. This role involves negotiating agreements to optimize price, delivery, and terms, maintaining vendor relationships, and ensuring reliable sources of supply and information. The position works closely with supply chain, value analysis, and key stakeholder leaders to select, implement, and communicate contracts that support the health system's needs. The role also monitors market trends, benchmarks the contract portfolio, and implements plans to standardize and optimize across the system. Performance is measured by cost containment efforts and customer service activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing sourcing strategies and ensure alignment with GPO affiliate sourcing strategies, projects, and initiatives within commodities.
• Evaluate competitive offerings to determine the overall best value for a product or service.
• Develop performance terms and acceptance criteria to facilitate objective decision-making.
• Lead competitive 'go-to-market' sourcing initiatives, choosing effective sourcing tools for the task.
• Create detailed project plans to secure resources for project completion and communicate organizational needs.
• Lead vendor management for continuous improvement through quarterly business reviews, quality assessments, etc.
• Develop, negotiate, review, revise, and execute vendor contracts, minimizing the need for legal review.
• Manage consignment and vendor-managed inventory initiatives in collaboration with Operations.
• Facilitate and communicate steps for product conversion and standardization of products/services.
• Ensure proper and timely processing of bids, group contract awards, insurance, leasing, and contracting asset management and registrations.
• Lead, prepare information, and facilitate meetings among staff, physicians, directors, administrators, officers, and other external participants for special projects.
• Provide management, leadership, training, and clear work direction for Buyers and Portfolio Specialists.
• Bid, negotiate, and award RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs; analyze complex proposals and agreements.
• Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures related to Purchasing, Finance, Consulting, HIPAA, GPO, and Meditech Software.
• Work with Finance to analyze and evaluate lease-purchase capital options to maximize ROI.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders and contracts; administer contracts, agreements, bids, and leases throughout their lifespan.
• Ensure purchasing practices comply with established laws, policies, ethical principles, and standards.
• Search continually for areas of price reduction and/or cost containment through improved products/services, software, tools, and technology platforms.
• Develop and manage effective relationships with internal departments and suppliers.
• Take a leadership role in supply chain initiatives, which may include direct supervision, delegating projects/tasks, and assisting in personal and professional growth and development.
• Manage front-line operations to meet or exceed departmental goals, DCH Mission and Vision, and DCH Standards.
• Maintain performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in performance evaluations.
• Perform compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Adhere to DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and self.
• Perform essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identify and reduce unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognize and take appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety.
• Use electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree or greater is required; Baccalaureate degree is preferred.
• Experience in healthcare or related purchasing field with progressive responsibility for interacting with vendors in acquiring contracts/agreements is required.
• Three years of contracting and sourcing experience required; experience in a supply chain organization is preferred.
• Financial acumen with the ability to create and modify spreadsheets as an intermediate user and model different scenarios or outcomes is highly preferred.
• Past experience in a clinical setting is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal relationship and customer service skills, are required.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Working Conditions

Environmental

• May be in proximity of pallet jacks and inventory transport equipment on occasion; must be aware of surroundings.

Physical

• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Psychological

• Frequent contact with others; must be able to lead teams and coordinate activities.
• Must be able to interact with the vendor community and internal customers.
• Frequent use of electronic mail and face-to-face discussions; occasional sending of memos and letters.
• Must be able to occasionally speak to work groups of varying numbers.
• Shared responsibility for outcomes and team success.
• Frequent telephone conversations with vendors and internal customers.