The Materials Management Buyer supports the hospital's supply chain operations by coordinating purchasing activities, monitoring inventory levels, maintaining vendor and contract information, and providing responsive service to departments across the organization. This role requires strong communication, attention to detail, and working knowledge of healthcare supply chain practices.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage high-value purchase transactions and ensure accountability for organizational funds.
- Create purchase orders, monitor supply usage, and place vendor orders to support hospital operations.
- Assist requisitioners with product selection, requisition entry, and obtaining new products or physician preference items.
- Manage product backorders to ensure adequate inventory is available to maintain services.
- Review inventory levels and adjust safety stock and pipeline days to meet usage demands and manage recovered backorder items in MMIS.
- Maintain the MMIS item master and inventory records, including issue and purchase units of measure, as items, vendors, and contracts change.
- Update contract information in MMIS and maintain accurate purchasing and vendor records.
- Compare Premier purchasing contracts with MMIS pricing and order confirmations to ensure vendor contract pricing is active and accurate.
- Research and resolve price discrepancies on purchase order items.
- Work with receiving staff to resolve discrepancies between receipts and purchase orders.
- Perform clerical and administrative duties, including data entry, scanning, and filing.
- Communicate professionally with departments, vendors, patients, visitors, and other customers.
- Assume designated departmental responsibilities in the absence of the Materials Management Director and Assistant Director to maintain continuity of operations.
Follows all WGH policies and procedures related to patient care, confidentiality, infection control, fire and safety practices, and the safe handling of toxic substances. Promptly reports damaged equipment or mechanical concerns to the Materials Management Director and submits electronic work tickets for needed repairs. Maintains the knowledge and skills necessary to provide service to customers of all ages.
Education, License, or any special requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred; seven or more years of healthcare or supply chain experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Demonstrates the ability to read, write, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Communicates effectively with internal and external customers.
- Performs basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and percentages.
- Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, keyboarding, and other computer-based systems used in materials management.
- Maintains proficient keyboarding and data entry skills.
- Analyzes and resolves problems involving multiple factors and variables.
- Ability to read, understand, and interpret vendor contracts, purchasing agreements, and related terms and conditions.
- Performs the essential functions of the position as outlined in this job description and the physical activities summary.
- Handles stressful situations involving patients, visitors, physicians, families, and other departments.
- Maintains a cheerful, friendly attitude while providing courteous assistance.
- Works Monday through Friday; occasional weekends and holidays may be scheduled.
- Lifts up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Routinely pushes or pulls up to 75 pounds and occasionally more.
- Performs duties requiring walking and standing for portions of the workday.
- Demonstrates the ability to reach, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, push, pull, talk, and hear.
- Uses vision skills to regularly read 8-10 point font type.
Benefits Summary
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Health Insurance
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
- Free internal prescription program
- Employer contributions to premiums.
- Retirement Plans
- 457(b) plan with employer matching.
- 401(a) plan for employer contributions.
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Vacation days: 12 to 27 days per year based on years of service
- Sick days: 12 days per year accruing to a maximum of 65 days.
- Holidays: 6 observed paid holidays
- Work-Life Balance
- Flexible work schedules
- Other Benefits
- Employer-provided life insurance with optional additional coverage available at the employees expense.
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Health Savings Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Professional development opportunities
- Scholarship and Tuition reimbursement
- Additional Perks
- Wellness programs
- Volunteer opportunities
- Productivity, retention, and referral bonuses
About Us
At Wabash General Hospital, we are dedicated to putting patients at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our motto, "people you know, helping people you love," we are committed to serving our community with care and compassion.
We offer services for all generations, striving to be the trusted healthcare destination throughout every stage of life. While we are honored to have received numerous awards recognizing our efforts to be the best, what truly sets us apart is the personalized experience we provide to our patients and their families.
Our compassionate and dedicated team is focused on delivering exceptional, individualized care to support patients and their loved ones every step of the way. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.