Buyer

Overview


Ardent Health Services (AHS) is a national health care services company headquartered in Nashville, TN. Through its subsidiaries, Ardent owns and operates nearly 200 sites of care. Our subsidiaries own and operate hospitals and multispecialty physician practices in six states. Ardent includes 30 hospitals, 4,423 patient beds, 23,000 employees, and 1,700 employed physicians. Within the industry, we are noted for recognizing that every hospital is as unique as the community it serves. This in-depth understanding of how health care works at the local level is one of our great strengths.

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for processing all purchasing requests for all supplies, services, and equipment (not to include capital), while ensuring all orders are handled in an accurate and timely manner. The Purchasing Buyer must also identify and help source viable substitute products to minimize the impact of backorders on our customers. Adheres to policies, procedures and regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Review and update the Open Purchase Order (PO) report on a weekly basis, ensuring all records are accurate and current to maintain smooth procurement operations.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing Manager to improve and optimize Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), online requisitioning, electronic faxing, and file item additions for streamlined purchasing processes.
• Promptly address discrepancies in EDI and fax confirmations to prevent service disruptions or product delivery.
• Identify and report any performance issues with suppliers or customers in compliance with hospital policies and procedures, ensuring quality and reliability in the supply chain.
• Process and manage all assigned special purchase requests in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring proper documentation and approval for non-standard items.
• Work with various departments to ensure maximum compliance with group purchasing organization agreements and the effective use of financial/Materials Management systems to track purchases.
• Address and resolve any invoice and price discrepancies, ensuring that all backorder reports are up to date and communicated to the relevant stakeholders.
• Process online requisitions for assigned vendors within 24 hours, ensuring that all requests are reviewed, approved, and executed promptly to prevent delays in hospital operations.
• Ensure that the pricing and formularies listed on invoices align with committed contracts, validating that negotiated terms are followed and discrepancies are promptly addressed.
• Collaborate with vendors and distributors to resolve issues related to product discrepancies, invoicing errors, and other concerns, ensuring effective solutions are implemented and communicated.
  
  

Qualifications


Education & Experience:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• A minimum of one (1) year purchasing or order entry experience, or two (2) years healthcare supply chain experience.
• Previous budgeting and group purchasing experience, preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office - Word and Excel, preferred.
• Solid interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of healthcare supply chain materials management information systems (Lawson), preferred.
• Knowledge of Electronic Data Exchange (ie. GHX), preferred.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations in a calm and productive manner.
• Excellent customer service skills and understanding of the urgency & operational tempo of healthcare procurement, preferred.