Buyer - Associate jobs in Lawrence, MA

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Buyer is responsible for supporting the procurement of product supplies and services necessary for assigned departments as assigned at Covenant Health.  This role is intended to help create, document, and deploy the best supply chain practices in a healthcare environment. Candidates will effectively process purchase orders, collaborate with internal customers and external suppliers, coordinate activities as a liaison to fulfill the needs of the assigned departments and the Purchasing Department and other tasks as assigned.

To be successful, the Supply Buyer will have exceptional communication skills both verbal and written, attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, a continuous improvement mindset, and a driven self-starter are included in the skillset.  

Training can take place at any of our three hospitals.  St Joseph Healthcare in Bangor, St. Mary’s in Lewiston, or St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua NH.  Once training is complete, the position can be hybrid.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

•    Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.

PURCHASING: 

•    Demonstrates initiative and independent decision-making abilities. Works effectively by prioritizing workload and provides flexibility to support department and organization’s needs.  With knowledge and experience, provides sound judgment on escalation to ensure timely resolution.

•    Successfully completes the procurement of supplies by independently reviewing product and pricing information utilizing GPO resources and tools, reviews vendor bids, retrieves, and analyzes bench marking information to assure best pricing for the organization.

•    Receives requisitions, confirms accuracy by analyzing quantity, contract pricing, specifications, delivery requirements and issuing a request for quotation for items not covered by an existing contract. 

•    Research local, distributor, manufacturer/ vendor and group purchasing organization contracts via shared networks or websites to determine the best source for purchase. Maintains current knowledge of committed active contracts. Assist in educating departmental personnel on proper preparation of requisitions. 

•    Strengthen supplier relations through positive interaction with salespeople and will participate in discussions with end users to ensure procurement needs are met.  Maintains impartial relationships with all vendors. 

•    Monitor rejected lines, back orders, and all open orders to prioritize expedient action to ensure supplies are on hand for all procedure dates. Communicates with suppliers to research and communicate all delivery problems with affected end users. Provides documentation to support notifications. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONS: 
•    Develops and builds positive relationships with assigned department stakeholders. Supports value analysis process for potential changes in purchases related to contracts or new technology. 

ADMINISTRATIVE:
•    Maintains communications with receiving inventory and accounts payable departments to audit packing slips and price variances on all purchases. Manages discrepant invoices by scrupulous research of pricing and quantity discrepancies to support the timely resolution of past due invoices. Provides timely follow up to ensure discrepant invoices do not age without active documentation to support reconciliation efforts. 

•    Support setting up new vendors by obtaining all necessary information including contact information and W9. Partner with AP to ensure all requested information is completed in a timely manner. Ensure all affected teams are aware of any time-sensitive product/ orders related to projects or physician needs. 

•    Participate in all assigned Value Analysis Committee meetings and provide data analysis upon request. 

 INVENTORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  
•    Partner with supply chain staff to ensure sufficient supply flow by tracking open order lines and back orders and escalating as necessary. 

•    Ensure approved SUBS are confirmed with stakeholders, documented and added to the Item Manager to keep safety stock.  

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 
•    Develops excellent interdepartmental professional relationships with all hospital departments to assure smooth operation. 

•    Represents the departments at meetings as requested. 

•    Provides support on Supply Chain Requisitioning to assigned department requisitioning personnel. 

Job Requirements

Job Knowledge and Skills - Microsoft Suite including Outlook and Excel, WebEx, Ability to Work Independently, Ability to analyze data, Excellent communication and customer service, Presentation Skills, Organized and Effective Time Management, Workload Prioritization

A successful Supply Chain Buyer has certain prerequisite skills and qualifications, which include:
•    Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills are a requirement for supply-chain buyers. They use these skills to determine the organizations’ product needs and to create constructive relationships with vendors.

•    Project management: Supply-chain buyers often manage multiple projects at one time. The ability to plan, delegate and evaluate progress toward goals is necessary for managing these projects.

•    Problem-solving: Supply Chain Buyers must have strong problem-solving skills as they may need to solve problems related to a purchased product or services.  

Education and Experience
•    High school or GED
•    3-5 years of Healthcare / Supply Chain Purchasing Preferred

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.
 

 The starting rate for this position is: $18.62/hr

Rate of pay displayed reflects the beginning of the pay scale.  At the time of an offer, determination of your offer will reflect your skills and experience as it relates to the position.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).