Buyer

General Purpose of Job:

Places purchase orders for hospital for medical/surgical supplies, capital equipment, small tools and equipment, subscriptions, standing orders and some services. Prepares bids as needed and where no group purchasing contract exists. Research products; compares products and prices, specifications and delivery rates. Corrects purchase orders with price and quantity discrepancies for Accounts Payable. Expedites backorders or obtains substitutes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines. 
• Initiate and prepare purchase orders according to established hospital policies.
• Negotiate price and product specifications by working with departments and vendors.
• Monitor all purchase orders placed, informing Materials Manager of vendor performance.
• Review purchase requisitions, price out according to contracts and/or Standardization Committee decisions and award to vendors.
• Keep informed of all contracts, utilizing them whenever medically acceptable to user department and medical staff.
• Work closely with all departments to service their needs promptly and clarify purchasing policies and procedures.
• Work with Purchasing Manager to research product information and obtain pricing.
• Keep catalog and price files up-to-date.
• Place orders with vendors by phone, email or EDI.
• Follow-up on all stock outs or backorders immediately if it is an inventory items or a department urgent order.
• Working with Purchasing/AP analyst promptly resolve any pricing or quantity discrepancies with vendors and report corrections to Accounts Payable.
• Working with departments, communicate with vendors for returns. Assign follow-up purchase order numbers.
• Submit price changes and units of measure changes to analyst as needed to keep database correct.
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.