Buyer, Senior

Job Title

Procurement Specialist

Job Description

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position independently reviews, coordinates, and determines the appropriate course of action for high-level procurement of supplies, services, and equipment. The incumbent analyzes contracts and ensures that all actions are in accordance with organizational policies and the Utah State procurement code. This position has no responsibility for providing care to patients.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Performs all the Essential Functions of job code 7904, Buyer.
• Provides analysis, procurement and authorized return of supplies, services and equipment.
• Creates purchase orders, as necessary, and ensures the cost-effective procurement and timely receipt of supplies, services and equipment.
• Researches and reconciles purchases, receipt issues, payment problems, irregularities, billing errors, and disputes.
• Analyzes available state, Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and local purchasing contracts to ensure that the organization is in compliance and maximizing savings opportunities.
• Monitors the performance of suppliers and requisitioners and works on continuous quality improvement.
• Identifies and implements cost saving opportunities, and develops new supply sources as needed.
• Acts as a liaison between vendors and departments and makes recommendations for cost effective alternatives, contract compliance, and requisitioning process improvements.
• Reconciles discrepancies with vendors and monitors purchase trends for assigned hospital accounts.
• Provides procurement information and purchase history data, as requested.
• May provide indirect oversight, training and guidance for other buyers, as assigned.
• Develops Requests for Proposal (RFP) and facilitates the process for departments requiring products and services warranting an RFP.

Essential Functions of a Buyer: 7904:

• Purchases medication and non-medication products through established U of U Health procurement policies and procedures.
• Identifies items on shortage or backorder, develops potential solutions and communicates issues to appropriate individuals and departments, including contract pharmacy as applicable.
• Maintains inventory control systems, including but not limited to, electronic medical record system, associated automation, databases, and 340B split billing software.
• Coordinates with internal and external customers to provide information, identify product needs, place orders, and perform related accounting functions.
• Completes quality, safety, risk management and cost savings initiatives as assigned.
• This position takes rotating on call responsibilities as assigned for positions supporting acute care areas.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated working knowledge of Excel, Bidsync, State Procurement Code and organization Purchasing Policies and Procedures.
• Ability to analyze information and draw correct conclusions by creating cost analyses and successfully negotiating with others.
• Demonstrated human relations and excellent communications skills.
• Knowledge of shipping and receiving laws from foreign countries as well as within the United States.
• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects that are large in scope.
• Ability to resolve problems such as bid disputes and vendor protests regarding contract law.
• Ability to interface with a myriad of internal and external customers and ensure that interested parties are following relevant federal and state laws.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, a related field, or the equivalency.
• Four (4) years of direct purchasing experience, or related work experience.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) certification or working toward its completion may be required in some areas.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements

Listening, Sitting, Speaking, Standing