Supply Chain Buyer

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

1d • $19 - $30

About The Position

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
At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. We believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.
Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to multiple hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here, you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• 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.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED