Planner/Buyer

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Job Summary:

Creates, manage, expedite and large volume stock purchase orders based on Material Requirement Plan (MRP) for Wellstar Health System. Faciliates the procure to pay processes by verifying, preparing, and forwarding purchase orders to suppliers as well as confirming orders and authorizing invoice payments. Assists in establishing requirements consistent with materials and supplies standardization. Collaborates with Clinical Value Analysis, Value Analysis Process Improvement, Clinical Resource Management, Resource Management and end-user departments at Hospitals, Health Parks and Physician Practices. Mitigate and prevent stock outs by identifying departmental/clinical needs through facilitation of clinically approved substitutes and proactivley manage backorders. Manage MRP for demand planning and forecasting. Facilitate gatekeeping of items stocked in inventory by managing changes that occur. Manages suppliers relationships, costs, KPIs, and develops other external resources to keep informed of industry trends, reliability of suppliers, availability of supplies, and emerging technology and products. Work closely with Inventory Control and Receiving for day to day operations.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Purchasing * Ability to determine the correct method to process purchase orders based on total cost, timeliness, competitive bidding, and existing contracts. * Reviews requisitions for assigned service lines and departments for completeness of information and adherance to WellStar Purchasing Policies and Procedures. * Process order to procure requisitioned products and/or services. * Manages Purchase Orders (PO)s accordings to established policies/processes, MMIS/ERP and MRP. * Ensures processing of emergency or overnight orders as required by service line / departments. * Obtains recommendations from suppliers for substitute items as well as obtains approval of alternate items from Clinical Value Analysis, Clinical Resource Management, or Resource Managment. * Develops an efficient and accurate system for monitoring all open purchase orders. * Works with the distribution and receiving team to ensure that all deliveries satisfy the assigned purchase orders and report any back-ordered or missing products. * Resolves all invoice discrepancies. * Interprets and applies system procurement rules and policies consistently and with sound judgement. * Verifies PO order placement and receipt confirmation via GHX and makes necessary adjustments to purchase orders. * Processes returns as requested and/or required. Manages return goods authorization (RGA) process as required including receipt of credits as appropriate. * Ensures and facilitates vendor credentialing within the WellStar Health System vendor management system for assigned service line / department as appropriate. * Manage and process all returns to Vendors. Material Requirements Planning (MRP) * Keep service line inventory investments to a minimum while ensuring sufficient capacity by using requirements planning. * Use MRP master file and MRP processes to calculate the requirements, orders, and projected availability needed to restock products with the Material Resource Plan model. * Effectively support surplus and obsolete inventories. * Effectively calculate safety stock for demand. Communication * Reports on task progress and answers targeted questions about progress as requested. * Responsible for providing updates on specific requisitios, purchase orders or backorders as required. * Serves as the liaison between departments and vendors in relation to purchasing contract changes. * Articulates and demonstrates empathy with customers' needs, including timeline and scope. * Ability to anticipate probable customer questions and provides timely answers to unanticipated questions. * Uses daily interactions with others to develop or strengthen internal and external professional relationships. * Informs Supply Chain leadership of any potential risks which would have any negative patient outcomes. * Responds to Emails and telephone calls within an acceptable (24 48 hour) timeframe. Vendor/Supplier Management * Facilitates and enforces vendor credentialing with end-user departments and suppliers. * Ensures supplier contract accountability and adherence. Works with Supply Chain Contracts to ensures timely updates of vendor price files. * Assists with supplier onboarding and vendor file maintenance. * Create and monitor supplier performance with a system that monitors, measures, and provides feedback on supplier performance. * Ensure an uninterrupted flow of materials from vendor. * Manage Obsolecence, physican preference, and stock returns to vendor in line with department objectives. Contract & Data System Management * Assists Supply Chain Contracts team and assigned departments by providing reports and purchasing guidance when requested. * Assists Supply Chain Data Systems team with appropriate item and vendor file assistance as needed. * Meets with vendors and key stakeholder on new projects and process improvement. * Manage to KPIs set forth in all Distribution Contracts. Support Management * Assists Value Analysis teams with data elements to assist with projects. * Assists Receiving department with resolving shipments in error with orders. * Provides assigned service lines / department end users & requisitioners with system requisition processes training as necessary. * Ability to explain and clarify purchasing procedures to internal departments as well as vendors. * Support Inventory Control. Financial Stewardship: * Works closely with Value Analysis Teams and leadership to implement effective sourcing strategies for major commodity groups and non-salary expense savings initiatives. * Supports annual departmental savings goals and objectives. * Works with vendors and departments to ensure execution of identified cost savings as required. * Requests, reviews and/or benchmark quotes to secure the most competitive bids for organization. * Utilizes third-party resources to obtain best industry price available (ECRI, Vizient Savings Actualyzer, etc.) * Assists departments in product selection based on best financial and quality options. Quality * Analyze order requisitions and review for accuracy and completion. * Solves problems with orders in an efficient and timely manner. * Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence. * Looks for continuous improvements in current work processes and takes lead role in improving. * Assists Supply Chain leaders in process and project management improvements. * Assists in the targeting and achieving results, while striving for best practice attainment. * Supports front-line clinical teams in achieving patient care excellence. Teamwork * Ability to work well with a team. * Reports task(s) progress to others as required, incorporating concepts from multiple streams of thought or data sources. * Manages internal peer conflicts successfully without resorting to escalation. * Forms professional relationships with teammates based on mutual respect and trust. * Contributes to pleasant and professional discussions about best approaches/practice with other team members. Personal Responsibility * Able to thrive in a high-stress and fast-paced environment. * Ability to comply with existing processes and policies and the ability to adapt quickly to new processes within the organization. * Demonstrates an understanding of the sensitive nature of the work and the importance of confidentiality as outlined in policy and as directed by the nature of the job. * Accepts responsibility for own growth and development through in-services, required programs, and educational offerings. * Handles multiple, multi-disciplinary assignments at any one time. * Works independently and responsibly in meeting deadlines and setting priorities. * Demonstrates a willingness to perform additional tasks. * Performs other duties as assigned and/or required. Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Economics, or related field and two (2) years of experience in purchasing and/or contracts administration OR four (4) years of experience in purchasing or contract administration in lieu of formal education. Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Production Inventory Mgmt CPIM within 1 Year or Material Resource Professional within 1 Year or Cert Prof Supply Management within 1 Year

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years professional office experience with emphasis on basic supply chain and accounting principles Required or Experienced with Infor Lawson application Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Comprehensive knowledge of commodities in area of specialization. Strong negotiation and communication skills. Working knowledge of automated materials management information systems (MMIS). Comprehensive understanding of MS suite of products including but not limited to. aworking knowledge of Excel pivot tables and vlookup. Access data analytic functions. MS Word, Outlook and industry standard purchase order software platforms, (GHX, Lawson a plus). Ability to secure product samples, photos, and descriptions for departments. Have a breadth of general knowledge of Vendor Contracting, Procure-to-Pay policies, and warehousing. Excellent organization skills and strong attention to details. Strong Customer Focus ethic with a sense of urgency. Strong analytical and communication skills, both verbal and writtenDemonstrate knowledge of the operations management structure a distribution facility. Proven capability of understanding departmental inventory management strategies and objectives. Ability to multi-task and have strong communication skills with assigned service lines. Ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and understanding of uses of products in a medical setting. Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.