Coordinates activities for the purchasing process, such as creating purchase orders, monitoring product transportation and invoice creation. Authorizes payments, returns of merchandise, and pricing. Organizes, locates, and manages inventory in databases and online systems. Analyzes and monitors supply and usage trends to forecast inventory needs for multiple locations. Communicates and negotiates with vendors and other outside sales representatives regarding product cost, vendor discounts, resolution of incorrect orders and other vendor issues.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Prepares forecast for anticipated material usage and develops supplier pool to ensure reliable availability of materials.
- Administers departmental purchase/service contracts, prepares proposals and pre-contract data collection.
- Analyzes estimates of material, equipment and/or production costs along with price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- Purchases the appropriate quality product at the lowest possible price and in appropriate amounts while maintain reliable product availability.
- Reviews contractual documents to ensure adherence to company policy, product specifications, and legal and regulatory requirements.
- Verifies all aspects of the order, including pricing, to ensure conformance with company policy while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and responsiveness.
- Liaise with operations, Finance & Accounting and administrative personnel as part of the purchasing, and contracting process.
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Partner with internal stakeholders on negotiation and administration of contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
- Identify cost savings through participation in Group Purchasing Organizations.
- Assist in onboarding and ongoing training of Materials Management Team personnel.
- Maintain and review computerized and/or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories in collaboration with the Materials Management Program Manager.
- Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
- Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss alternate product options, and resolution of supplier issues.
- Monitor shipments to ensure on time delivery of goods and services, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
Supervision
- This position has no formal supervisory responsibility but directly influences and serves as a consultant for the organization.
Other Responsibilities:
- Participates in, and may lead, employee committees and events.
- Performs other related duties as required by the needs of the company and the leadership team.
- Complies with applicable laws, regulations, and LifeCenter policies and procedures.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Ability to design, implement, review, and maintain various programs.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, constantly changing and sometimes ambiguous environment.
- Demonstrated experience in analysis and critical thinking.
- Skill in problem-solving, including the ability to identify and appropriately evaluate alternatives.
- Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills, i.e., diplomacy, consideration, sensitivity, confidentiality, and the ability to collaborate with employees at all levels.
- Excellent negotiation, written and verbal skills.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Must possess initiative and a desire for continuous improvement.
- Must be able to work effectively independently and with others, some in remote locations.
- The ability to prioritize and complete work despite competing objectives.
- Strong working skills in Microsoft Office suite and other comparable software programs.
- Ability to be flexible to respond to continuously changing situations, issues and priorities.
BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee in this position must uphold the core values of LifeCenter; these include:
- Integrity: We are trustworthy, reliable, respectful, and accountable.
- Collaboration: We work in partnership with others, seeking to understand and be understood, and finding common ground and shared goals to build upon together.
- Courage: We take personal responsibility and face challenges head-on.
- Service: Through professionalism and dedication, we honor our commitment to serve others and our obligation to be good stewards of the gift of life.
Physical Activities/Requirements
- Travel is not essential to this position; however, occasional travel by automobile and airplane may be requested.
- This position requires the ability to effectively operate phones, computers, and other office equipment.
- The individual must have the ability to speak clearly using the English language to accurately convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the phone.
- Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Generally, working conditions do not require exposure to hazardous materials nor extremes in health and safety hazards. Work is normally performed in an office setting.
ANTICIPATED WEEKLY TIME COMMITMENT
This position may need to work outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & JOB REQUIREMENTS
- A bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management or a similar field preferred.
- 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience, or similar position required.
- Relevant skills and experience can be substituted for academic requirements.
- Previous healthcare supply chain experience preferred.
- Excellent working knowledge of purchasing strategies with ability to consult and advise others as a Subject Matter Expert required.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or applicable medical or religious exemption will be required as a condition of employment upon offer.
