Buyer

Ardent Health is a leading provider of healthcare in growing mid-sized urban communities across the U.S. With a focus on people and investments in innovative services and technologies, Ardent is passionate about making healthcare better and easier to access. Through its subsidiaries, Ardent delivers care through a system of 30 acute care hospitals, 24,000 team members and more than 280 sites of care with over 1,800 affiliated providers across six states.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Buyer is responsible for processing all purchasing requests for all supplies, services, and equipment (not to include capital), while ensuring all orders are handled in an accurate and timely manner. The Purchasing Buyer must also identify and help source viable substitute products to minimize the impact of backorders on our customers. Adheres to policies, procedures and regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety.

• Review and update the Open Purchase Order (PO) report on a weekly basis, ensuring all records are accurate and current to maintain smooth procurement operations.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing Manager to improve and optimize Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), online requisitioning, electronic faxing, and file item additions for streamlined purchasing processes.
• Promptly address discrepancies in EDI and fax confirmations to prevent service disruptions or product delivery.
• Identify and report any performance issues with suppliers or customers in compliance with hospital policies and procedures, ensuring quality and reliability in the supply chain.
• Process and manage all assigned special purchase requests in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring proper documentation and approval for non-standard items.
• Work with various departments to ensure maximum compliance with group purchasing organization agreements and the effective use of financial/Materials Management systems to track purchases.
• Address and resolve any invoice and price discrepancies, ensuring that all backorder reports are up to date and communicated to the relevant stakeholders.
• Process online requisitions for assigned vendors within 24 hours, ensuring that all requests are reviewed, approved, and executed promptly to prevent delays in hospital operations.
• Ensure that the pricing and formularies listed on invoices align with committed contracts, validating that negotiated terms are followed and discrepancies are promptly addressed.
• Collaborate with vendors and distributors to resolve issues related to product discrepancies, invoicing errors, and other concerns, ensuring effective solutions are implemented and communicated.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• A minimum of one (1) year purchasing or order entry experience, or two (2) years healthcare supply chain experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous budgeting and group purchasing experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office – Word and Excel.