Job Description

Vidant Health

About Vidant Health

Vidant Health is a regional health system serving 29 counties in eastern North Carolina. We are working every day to improve the health of the 1.4 million people we serve. Vidant Health is made up of 8 hospitals, physician practices, home health, hospice, wellness centers and other health care services. Vidant Medical Center is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant Health strives to support local medical communities and to work with providers throughout the region to deliver quality care. Our goal is to enhance services that are available locally and to eliminate barriers involving time, distance and lack of awareness that sometimes prevent patients from receiving the care they need.

Position Summary

Develop and process purchase orders, provide product information to requesting departments. Review GHX orders to verify pricing, availability, contract compliance and confirmations. Set up vendors into system; insure the integrity of supplier data; perform analysis and make recommendations regarding pricing, standardization and utilization opportunities.

Responsibilities

Develop purchase orders, research and download contracts from MMIS and work with Contracts office to resolve inconsistencies, pending expirations and/or deviations.

Process standing purchase orders; receive, edit, and process requisitions; follow up on back orders and calls for service.

Make recommendations relative to pricing, standardization and utilization opportunities.

Reviews, evaluates and monitors department purchase requisitions for proper authorization, specifications and legal compliance.

Disburses and maintains files related to purchase orders and purchasing.

Resolves conflicts concerning materials or services at the department and vendor levels. GHX (Global Healthcare Exchange) is reviewed several times a day for orders that are sent EDI, fax to verify pricing, confirmations, contract compliance and availability of product.
Expedite purchase orders. Locate emergency items when necessary.

Perform necessary follow up to meet delivery requirements.

Request Return Authorizations from suppliers and complete return paperwork for credit, exchange, evaluation, etc.

Monitors changes, modifications and technological advances that affect the purchasing of goods and services.
Work closely with Accounts Payable, Receiving and Vendors.

Assure timely payment of invoices.

Resolve invoice discrepancies.

Verify receipt of orders.

Assists with verifying vendor compliance by reviewing policies with them and getting appropriate documentation as required by policy.
Provide effective and proactive communications.

Be as source of information and understanding for all customers to increase their understanding of Supply Chain Management issues.

Answers inquiries both orally and in writing.

Possesses strong verbal communication skills as they deal with everyone from vendors to system management on a daily basis.

Needs written communication skills to make notes on invoices and respond to work-related email in a professional manner.
Provide product information to requesting entities and departments throughout ECU Health (VH) system.

Aggressively and proactively negotiate pricing and terms.

Select and maintain sources of supply and inventory sources/suppliers.

Maintain electronic files with information on suppliers, pricing, packaging, lead times, etc. Insure data integrity.

Set up vendors and product items in MMIS.

Recommend the most appropriate and cost effective alternatives for shipping.

Maintains current knowledge of new products and services.

Minimum Requirements

Four year college degree- or higher:
Business Administration or Health Sciences (preferred)

Three to five years in Purchasing and/or supply chain. Healthcare preferred.

Proficiency with:
1. Microsoft products Word and Excel
2. ERP/MMIS (ex: PeopleSoft, Lawson, MediTech)

One additional year of required experience may be substituted for one year of the required college education with a maximum substitution of four years.

Other Information

This is a hybrid position, working days Monday - Friday.

Purchasing Department

General Statement

It is the goal of Vidant Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.   Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.