Responsibilities
This is a remote position, but desire someone in the Phoenix, AZ area. Job Summary:
The Buyer acts as a purchasing agent for the Dignity Health System, having authority to commit system funds by contract, procures a wide variety of supplies and equipment for multiple acute and non-acute care facilities, using accepted procurement procedures in obtaining best price and quality goods.  The buyer function entails receiving automated purchase requests from departments for processing and ordering of supplies.  Other related responsibilities include resolution of pricing and shipping discrepancy, expediting of orders, identifying substitutions and alternate sourcing for backordered products and customer service.  Capital Equipment planning and procurement for all departments and construction projects.  Work with Surgery departments to identify sourcing of physician preference items and ensure lowest cost and high product quality resulting in positive clinical outcomes.
Accountabilities:Checks purchase requisitions for proper authorization and completeness prior to the acquisition of any requested supplies and equipmentInitiates and maintains purchase orders, utilizing Materials Management software systemWorks closely with requesting departments, providing information and assistance in purchasing related mattersContinually seeks to understand and support customer needs, concerns, and priorities.  Meets or exceed customer expectations and requirementsEnsure all capital equipment specifications meet customer requirementsCreate equipment trade in purchase ordersWorks with construction project teams in managing purchases and expendituresAttends on site facility based meetings as required to support capital projectsProvide alternate sourcing and market trend information to support capital projectsWorks with facilities and vendors to stage/hold capital purchases until delivery date is operationally viableManages physician preference items by understanding the physician needs and operational requirements of surgical departments while ensuring high quality low cost alternate productsCompliance with all implant and tissue documentation and trackingEvaluates custom pack cost benefits related to product changes Is a resource for surgical departments in identifying approved vendors and suppliesWorks with surgical departments in completing After-the-Fact purchase ordersAssist surgical departments with equipment trialsAttend surgical council meetings as requiredIdentifies available sources of supply, including alternate products, in the event of back ordersPerformance of buying functions with accuracy and competenceCheck order status or confirmation before close of business each day, and assure timely delivery and performanceContacts departments via approved process in the event of a critical product on back orderReturns all calls within one business dayFollows department guidelines and notifies the facility Materials Manager of any variances to the guidelines that may be critical in handling/expediting and processing purchasing ordersIdentifies suitable purchasing arrangements for products, including contracts, blanket orders, Standing orders and vendor stocking arrangementsManagement of Blanket and Standing orders to ensure adherence and appropriate renewal actionArranges for the procurement of supplies on a pooled basis, rather than department by departmentObtains emergency and rush ordered supplies in coordination with the end user departments as requiredExpedites and follow-ups on orders placed on a regular scheduled basisCommunicates to departments; price, terms, back orders, problems and shipping, as arrangements are made in their behalfManages vendor returns and creditsExercises tact, discretion and diplomacy in establishing and maintaining harmonious relations with end user departmentsAdvises departments of any changes or restrictions on materials that would prohibit the acquisitionKeeps informed of current departmental practices or changes by regularly attending staff meetingsParticipates in continuing education related to professionEnsures unscheduled absences do not exceed department guidelinesObserves the department dress and grooming standards and consistently wears name badgeProvides proper notification of absence or tardiness within established guidelinesMaximizes the use of all facility resources, including supplies, own time and time of othersPerforms duties in an independent manner with little or no need for direct supervisionSeeks guidance from department managers when appropriateRecognizes and performs duties which need to be performed although not directly assigned and regularly assists othersSeeks methods to improve current practices by identifying problems and proposing viable solutions to supervisorAdditional duties as needed
Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Five (5) years of experience as a buyer within a multi facility healthcare organizationTwo (2) years of experience having responsibility for supporting surgical departments or capital equipment purchasesHigh School Diploma with five (5) years purchasing experience or Associate’s degree with two (2) years purchasing experienceSound customer service techniques and practices, ability to communicate in a professional and articulate manner with internal and external partners at all levels both verbal and written, remain calm and courteous while handling problems, knowledge of Materials Management operations, Lawson system experience, follow established procedures, proficiency in Word and Excel

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in the procurement of physician preference itemsExperience in a customer service oriented team environment supporting facilities with Construction in Progress (CIP)Bachelor’s degree in Business or related fieldCertification as a purchasing agent from a nationally recognized organizationCertified training related to capital equipment, CIP or surgery procurement and operationsOverview

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 157,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4.2 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system.