What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialty Buyer Perioperative Materials Management position at CareWell Health?
Job Summary
The Specialty Buyer Peri-Operative Materials Management is the purchasing agent responsible for the procurement, cost management, and inventory control of critical surgical supplies, implants, instruments, and equipment. The role involves working closely with clinical staff and vendors to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality products needed for surgical procedures. A successful candidate will demonstrate a detailed understanding of procurement processes and the unique needs of a surgical department.
Essential Functions
- Source and evaluate vendors: Research and identify potential suppliers for a wide range of products and services, including medical-surgical supplies, pharmaceuticals, laboratory equipment, and office supplies.
- Negotiate contracts: Secure the best possible prices, terms, and quality standards for goods and services. This includes negotiating pricing, delivery schedules, freight, and payment terms.
- Process purchase orders: Generate and submit purchase orders (POs) using a materials management or ERP system, ensuring accuracy and adherence to purchasing policies. Generate POs for post-surgical case billing.
- Coordinate with Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs): Work with GPOs to leverage purchasing power and secure the best contractual agreements.
- Inventory and supply chain management:
- Monitor inventory levels: Analyze inventory data, track stock levels, and place orders to maintain optimal stock while preventing overstocking or shortages.
- Track and expedite orders: Follow up on placed orders to confirm delivery schedules and expedite as necessary to prevent stock-outs, especially for critical supplies.
- Resolve discrepancies: Work with vendors and internal departments to resolve issues related to incorrect shipments, invoice discrepancies, and pricing errors.
- Manage returns: Coordinate the return of defective, incorrect, or expired merchandise to vendors.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Communicate with internal departments: Liaise with hospital departments, clinical staff, and management to understand their procurement needs and forecast future demand.
- Manage vendor relationships: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure a reliable and cooperative supply chain.
- Collaborate on process improvement: Participate in teams to find and implement strategies for cost-reduction and enhanced efficiency throughout the supply chain.
- Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure regulatory compliance: Verify that all purchasing activities adhere to hospital policies, industry standards, and relevant regulations, such as those from the DEA and FDA.
- Analyze purchasing data: Track key purchasing metrics and generate reports on buying activity, costs, and inventory trends to support management decisions.
- Maintain records: Keep up-to-date and accessible records of purchases, vendor contracts, and other procurement-related documents.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Minimum Education/Certifications
A high school diploma required, bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field preferred.
Minimum Work Experience
Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, or inventory control role required, with healthcare experience being highly desirable.
Skills
- Analytical skills: Ability to analyze purchasing data and market trends to make informed decisions.
- Negotiation skills: Strong ability to negotiate contracts and resolve issues with suppliers.
- Organizational skills: High level of attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
- Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for collaborating with internal teams and vendors.
- Technical proficiency: Experience with procurement software, ERP systems (such as Oracle Cloud), and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Monday thru Friday 6:30am-3:00pm
Physical Demands Analysis:
- Personal attributes:
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Detail-oriented and accurate.
- Team-oriented yet capable of working independently.
Location: CareWell Health · Purchasing
Schedule: Full Time, Regular, Days, 6-2