Buyer

UnityPoint Health is seeking a Buyer to join our team! This role is responsible for purchasing supplies - capital equipment and services requested throughout the UnityPoint Health System. The Buyer works within their service lines assigned to ensure orders flow through the system smoothly, support contract compliance, standardization, EDI automation and follow up with delivery and returns of product. The scope of this role includes levels of involvement with the Supply Chain processes; requester customer service and education, procurement processes, invoice accuracy, capital equipment and capital project collaboration with requesters and Finance, data management, data analytics and contracting. Additionally, this role supports the strategic objectives of UnityPoint Health and collaborate with customers, supply chain, finance, clinical and non-clinical leaders and staff across the entire system.

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

Location: Remote - applicants must reside within the UnityPoint Health footprint of Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:    

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Procurement:

• Reviews unreleased Purchase Orders to ensure all items have assigned Lawson numbers and contract pricing; validates vendor and ship to information; reassigns special item requests to Buyer II.
• Releases Purchase Orders to be transmitted to vendors for processing utilizing the most efficient issue method.
• Reviews purchase requisitions from PO Worksheet for accuracy and best practice; clarity, detail, contract compliance, inclusion in the item master, vendor listed the best source, and Owens & Minor distribution opportunities. Uses tools and resources to identify what and how the request can best be managed.
• Communicates with and educates requesters on the central procurement process.
• Responsible for placing purchase orders and the overall management of the purchase order.
• Expedites product delivery; utilizes tools and resources to ensure timely resolution on confirmations and open orders to ensure accurate placement and estimated delivery dates of all orders.
• Processes vendor returns, obtains RMA from vendor and collaborates with Receiving personnel to ensure product is returned to the vendor in a timely fashion.
• Interacts with appropriate department representative to determine specific requirements for various supplies and equipment, recommend cost reductions, and understand departmental operations/services provided
• Runs reports and queries to manage daily operations; pull and manage data- open orders, confirmations, productivity, vendor performance, order transmission, EDI, contract compliance, utilization and distribution opportunities.

Process Improvement/Process Changes:

• Adheres to Standard of Work and works closely with internal and external resources to optimize processes.
• Identifies issues and works with supply chain staff across UnityPoint Health on process improvement projects to develop service solutions.

Education:

• Required: Associate Degree or 2 years of related experience may be substituted
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree

Experience:

• Healthcare procurement knowledge and experience working with a GPO (Group Purchasing Operation)
• Advanced knowledge of lookup functions, queries, uploads, pivot tables and proficiency in navigating web-based software and solutions desirable
• Experience working with Lawson system preferred