SUPPLY CHAIN BUYER

Shift: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Department: Sourcing and Contracting
Compensation:

* Base Pay Range: $19.15 - $30.23, based on experience

ABOUT THE JOB

Perform administrative activities in the receipt, verification and processing of purchase orders and change orders for materials and services as requested by end-users. Select and negotiate with approved vendors to place orders for materials, supplies and equipment at the most favorable terms for the organization. Follow UM System, MU Health Care and department authority levels, policies and procedures to sign and commit MU Health Care to financial transactions in the execution of these duties. Provide exceptional customer service and maintain effective communication with end-users.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is a growing academic health system in mid-Missouri comprised of multiple hospitals - including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital - and over 90 specialty clinics located throughout the region.

As an MU Health Care employee, you'll be part of an exceptional team committed to our mission of saving and improving lives. Our core values of inclusion, respect, service, discovery, responsibility and excellence foster a collaborative work environment where you can grow your career.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

* Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one

* Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays

* Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years

* Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)

* Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

* See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Audit, review and accurately process online purchase requisitions as received following automated information systems, policies and department procedures, documenting pertinent information on the purchase order and dispatching in most efficient method. Determine if higher authority level(s) are needed to process and redirect to appropriate individual. Review the terms and conditions of purchase requisitions received. Determine if required information and authorities are complete, notify originating department of missing information or if requested action that does not follow protocols. Escalate service communications to higher authority as needed to acquire products and services in a timely manner.

Provide exemplary service to customers. Act quickly and expeditiously on issues to meet customer timelines and provide a "recovery plan" as needed. Maintain courteous, helpful and effective communication to all customers and create a team approach for sharing information, problem resolution and planning. Communicate to customers on conditions affecting supply availability, substitutions, new supplies, emergent orders and all other issues that may affect a department and/or patient care. Meet and address customer requests, share relevant information, provide insight and training, instruct and advise on purchasing policies and procedures, and assist with inquiries.

Maintain professional relationships with vendor, customer service and account/sales representatives. Respond to inquiries from vendors regarding purchase orders, bids and/or purchasing cards. Initiate action and correspondence concerning the tracking of purchase orders, receipt discrepancies, filing claims for damaged product received and problems relating to product not meeting specifications. Resolve issues and/or escalate resolution efforts to management as needed.

Review, analyze and resolve exceptions that might delay orders being processed and paid in a timely manner (i.e. price variances, rejected orders, backorders, unit of measure issues, vendor catalog numbers, etc.). Process change orders as required. Follow up on backorders and communicate to end users as appropriate. Escalate problems to department staff or management in a timely manner with appropriate documentation.

Maintain working relationships with team members throughout the system supply chain and accounts payable. Notify appropriate personnel of issues within the purchasing information database and operating system. Handle tracking of regulatory requirements (i.e. insurance, product recalls, and contracted clinical services). Prepare reports and provide information as needed.

Assist end-users in the preparation of purchase bids, evaluation and analyzing of bid responses as required by policy. Negotiate prices and terms for purchased goods and services. Respond to inquiries regarding preferred vendors and those authorized to conduct business with MU Health Care. Determine potential vendors to be solicited for bids or approve user-recommended vendor; ensure adherence to protocols that include minority vendors. Utilize approved vendors and ensure adherence to contractual terms.

Contribute to and support ongoing efforts to identify, recommend and implement new systems or processes that add end-user value, enhance the procurement process, improve customer satisfaction and improve the total value proposition of supply chain.

May complete unit/department specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.

Two (2) years of experience in a related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.