Buyer

Position Title:

Department:

Job Description:

The Buyer II is responsible for processing and follow through on all purchasing requests for all supplies, services, and equipment; ensuring all orders are processed in an accurate and timely manner; identifying and sourcing viable substitute products to minimize the impact of backorders on our customers; ensuring that price discrepancies are resolved to avoid delays in product delivery to customers; identifying, reporting, and resolving issues related to supplier accounts, credit holds, price, packaging, and recalls;  maintaining a high level of communication with Supply Chain teams, suppliers, and organization departments; assisting with supplier account onboarding for new hospital suppliers and departments; mentoring and training of  department employees; assisting with electronic requisitioning training for hospital employees; assisting Accounts Payable with troubleshooting of complex PO/invoice match issues, and supporting process improvement initiatives to drive efficiencies.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Processes all assigned purchase requests in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with established Supply Chain policies and procedures.

• Processes all approved electronic requisitions for assigned vendors/cost centers within one business day.

• Reviews Open Receipts (OREC) report weekly and follows up with suppliers on orders with missing or expired due dates.

• Validates receipt of purchase order confirmations for all assigned orders, reviews purchase order confirmations to address any shipping delays and eliminate service failures.

• Expedites delivery of open purchase orders, communicating updates in accordance with established Supply Chain policies and procedures.

• Establishes and maintains a high degree of communication, cooperation, and customer service with assigned departments regarding purchases, backorders, and available substitutions.

• Works with suppliers to create and maintain shipping accounts for facility delivery locations.  Assists Purchasing Manager with communicating supplier shipping account changes to Supply Chain Analytics team to ensure ERP is updated.

• Assists with troubleshooting customer shipping account issues to ensure that online requisitioning, EDI, and ERP supplier accounts are correct and optimized.

• Supports opportunities for advanced automation in electronic purchase order transmissions through Electronic Data Interchange.  Provides tools to monitor automation and troubleshoot issues.

• Communicates required item file changes to price, unit of measure, and product code to Strategic Sourcing through utilization of tracking tools established in accordance with policies and procedures.

• Identifies supplier resources and obtains quotes for hospital departments with limited assistance.

• Processes return to supplier requests from hospital departments and obtains Return Material Authorizations (RMA) for return of goods to supplier, providing return instructions to ordering  departments and Supply Chain Receiving personnel.

• Communicates information regarding supplier recalls, account changes, acquisitions and mergers to appropriate Supply Chain and Accounts Payable personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Works closely with Accounts Payable team to resolve match exceptions/invoice discrepancies. Proactively engages Accounts Payable team in troubleshooting causes of match exceptions/invoice discrepancies.

• Identifies requisitioner training needs through daily interaction with hospital departments  Provides Job Aids to assist requisitioners in training and development. Assists Purchasing Manager with requisitioner training needs through online training courses in individual and/or group settings.

• Assists Accounts Payable team with credit hold resolution through purchase order modification, and/or communication with supplier representatives.

• Manages complex projects related to procurement processes, ensuring efficient implementation and consistent follow through to achieve desired results.

• Maintains relationships with suppliers and supplier representatives to assist in follow up, tracking, and proof of delivery of open purchase orders.

• Reports item unit of purchase and/or packaging errors on par replenishment orders to appropriate inventory control team members and Purchasing Manager.  

• Provides assistance with Capital projects and purchases as necessary to expedite procurement of Capital equipment.

• Creates, processes, and follows through on purchase orders for the organization's Sourcing contracts, ensuring purchase order is created as defined for term, expense, and cost center.  Coordinates with Strategic Sourcing, supplier, and organizational departments to confirm contract details.

• Leads and mentors new buyer candidates by assisting with new onboarding training and orientation.

• Supports projects in conjunction with Informatics Team to create reporting strategies to assist with Open Receipts (OREC) reporting and PO Acknowledgement (POA) reporting.

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General Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required. 

Experience Requirements

• 3 or more years work experience in Supply Chain or healthcare procurement.

License/Certification/Registration Requirements

• None required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Requirements

• Advanced ability to understand and analyze data to drive performance.

• Advanced oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.

• Proven ability to solve complex problems effectively and manage multiple high priority deliverables.

• Proven ability to establish and maintain long-term customer relationships, building trust and respect by consistently meeting and exceeding expectations.

• Advanced working knowledge of Supply Chain procurement functions.

• Experience in healthcare industry supplies, supply chain processes preferred.

• Ability to convey messages logically, simply, and with confidence.

• Ability to apply tools and processes to successfully manage the collection and analysis of data.

• Ability to foster vendor relationships that will drive toward a successful partnership.

• Proven ability to work in a leadership role as an effective member of a team.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Intermediate level knowledge in Microsoft Excel.

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OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.