What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Buyer position at Cayuga Health, A Member of Centralus Health?
Centralus Health
Sr Buyer, Supply Chain Strategic Sourcing and Contracting
The Sr. Buyer is responsible for the strategic procurement of supplies, services, and equipment across the organization. This role ensures compliance with organizational policies, state and federal procurement regulations, and industry best practices. The Sr. Buyer will help negotiate vendor agreements, analyze contracts, support supply chain optimization, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure cost-effective, timely, and high-quality purchasing outcomes.
This position combines operational purchasing with leadership responsibilities, vendor management, and continuous improvement of procurement processes.
Reporting Line & System Alignment
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or other related field required.
Experience
CMRP, CPSM, CPM, or similar certification.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Procurement & Contract Management
Sr Buyer, Supply Chain Strategic Sourcing and Contracting
The Sr. Buyer is responsible for the strategic procurement of supplies, services, and equipment across the organization. This role ensures compliance with organizational policies, state and federal procurement regulations, and industry best practices. The Sr. Buyer will help negotiate vendor agreements, analyze contracts, support supply chain optimization, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure cost-effective, timely, and high-quality purchasing outcomes.
This position combines operational purchasing with leadership responsibilities, vendor management, and continuous improvement of procurement processes.
Reporting Line & System Alignment
- Reporting Line: Reports to the Purchasing Manager.
- System Alignment: Executes procurement in support of Centralus Health's enterprise standardization, contracting, and sourcing strategy led by the Sr Director, Strategic Sourcing & Contracting.
- Collaboration: Partners with buyers, value analysis, logistics, finance/AP, and clinical leaders to achieve systemwide compliance to standards and contracts.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or other related field required.
Experience
- Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible purchasing/supply chain experience, including 1 years leading buyers or category work.
- Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing and contracting policies, procurement laws, and regulations.
- Strong negotiation, vendor management, and critical thinking skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ERP/procurement systems.
- Experience in healthcare, higher education, or public-sector procurement.
- Knowledge of GPO contracts, RFP processes, and state procurement codes.
- Supervisory or training experience in purchasing/supply chain environments.
- Prior direct experience analyzing relevant subject matter (e.g., Supply Chain, Inventory, Procurement, Sourcing etc.).
- Knowledge of supply chain business processes, sourcing and contracting, or inventory management.
- Experience with Workday SCM or Financials, Infor Lawson, EPIC, and other healthcare financial software.
CMRP, CPSM, CPM, or similar certification.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to analyze data, conduct bid comparisons, and support decision-making.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
- Deep understanding of supply chain management, inventory systems, and logistics.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, compliance, and ethical purchasing practices.
Procurement & Contract Management
- Develop, implement, and oversee purchasing strategies to support organizational goals.
- Create, review, and approve purchase orders, bids, and RFPs (Requests for Proposals).
- Negotiate purchasing contracts, pricing, and terms with vendors to achieve cost savings and quality improvements.
- Ensure contract compliance and maximize savings through GPO, state, and local purchasing agreements.
- Research new vendors and products; evaluate supplier performance and recommend cost-effective alternatives.
- Procure supplies, services, and capital equipment via distributors or direct purchasing systems.
- Confirm deliveries, verify receipt and quality of goods, and resolve discrepancies such as shortages, delays, or damaged items.
- Analyze bid responses using tools such as Excel, ensuring compliance with procurement requirements.
- Monitor usage and inventory levels; partner with clinical and operational teams to maintain managed inventory systems.
- Serve as a liaison between vendors, clinical/administrative departments, and finance to ensure procurement needs are met.
- Partner with leadership to standardize supplies, processes, and purchasing practices across the organization.
- Provide expert-level support for requisitioners in ERP or procurement software (e.g., Workday, Lawson).
- Coordinate with project managers on sourcing for capital equipment and special initiatives.
- Provide indirect oversight, training, and guidance to buyers and purchasing staff when needed.
- Develop and enforce vendor performance standards, escalating issues when necessary.
- Participate in product evaluation task forces, safety committees, and process improvement initiatives.
- Monitor KPIs, perform cost analyses, and implement supply chain optimization strategies.
- Utilize a blend of direct and group purchasing organization contracts to leverage and maximize purchasing power.
- Partners with senior leadership and clinicians to develop and review long-term sourcing roadmaps.
- Leverages purchasing power to drive financial value, reduce variation and standardize supply and service contracts throughout Centralus Health.
- Serve as a resource to others regarding functional knowledge and expertise to department and others outside department/function.
- Move easily between big picture thinking and managing relevant detail.
- Ensures the integration of quality, service and efficiency improvements into day-to-day hospital and non-acute operations.
- Supports the success of Centralus Health by effectively contributing to and utilizing national strategies and capabilities, actively sharing new learning and innovation, and by assuring business practices are consistent with Centralus Health.
- Develops and maintains strategies to coordinate with operations on standardization of supplies, services equipment, and supply chain processes.
- Maintains an operating culture which is disciplined, accountable, consistent, cost-effective, and collaborative, and ensures that patient well-being and safety are paramount.
- Perform other duties as assigned and participate in special projects as assigned.
