Purchasing Specialist

Attributes Required

• Work Ethic/Integrity – must possess intrinsic drive to excel coupled with values in line with company philosophy
• Leadership – ability to lead project teams to deadlines, while maintaining strong team orientation
• Relational – ability to build relationships with business unit management and become "trusted advisor"
• Strategy and Planning – ability to think ahead, plan and manage time efficiently
• Problem Solving – ability to analyze causes and solve problems at both a strategic and functional level
• Team Oriented – ability to work effectively and collaboratively with all team members

Essential Job Functions

• Continuously manage and maintain appropriate levels of inventory in response to ongoing utilization, shortages, backorders, recalls, and waste prevention
• Review Purchasing dashboards and run reports to monitor purchasing metrics
• Interpret and analyze data to identify opportunities to maximize cost savings and improve inventory turns
• Navigate, review, and evaluate data provided in Surecost purchasing system to assess purchasing options
• Place daily orders for medication and supplies in an accurate and timely manner
• Manages purchasing spend to maximize margin and ensure compliance with generic and warehouse purchasing targets
• Review, update, and maintain drug file to ensure clean and accurate formulary
• Identify issues/errors and update NDCs in a timely manner
• Audit for accuracy
• Under direction from Support Services Purchasing, respond to and manage brand purchases in advance of price increases and generic events, to minimize inventory impact and maximize margin
• Communicate relevant updates and problem resolution concerning product availability, pricing, and alternative products to pharmacy staff
• Coordinate returns of overstocked/mis-ordered items to appropriate vendor in a timely manner to ensure full credit when possible
• Process and arrange for expired and recalled inventory to be returned for credit or disposal
• Coordinate and organize quarterly physical inventory, including quarterly updates to review turns, cycle count accuracy, purchase versus dispense reporting, and par level updates
• Perform audit counts to maintain perpetual reordering system
• Ensure accurate processing of purchase orders and invoices
• Attend monthly calls and in person annual meeting with Support Services Purchasing to stay abreast of updates and current issues related to purchasing
• Uses information, reporting and tools provided to effectively manage purchasing spend
• Maintain all policies and procedures for functional area
• Work independently and exercise independent judgement to resolve issues and deliver deadlines

Education and/or Certifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree (Math, Economics, Statistics, Business, or similar) preferred
• Pharmacy Technician license/certification/registration (per state requirements); National Certification preferred (PTCB)

Skills and Qualifications

• 1+ years of related experience (advanced degree may substitute for experience)
• Advanced computer skills; pharmacy operations system experience preferred/required
• Ability to work independently and deliver to deadlines
• Ability to solve problems with minimal direction
• Great attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment working on multiple tasks simultaneously, while adhering to strict deadlines
• Quality minded; motivated to seek out errors and inquire when something appears inaccurate

Work Environment

• Requires up to 10% travel by ground
• Ability to work flexible hours