Vendor Relations Manager

Description

Job Summary

The Pharmacy Vendor Relations Manager plays a critical role in managing relationships with pharmacy vendors to ensure optimal medication management and support the needs of the pharmacy. This position requires a proactive and strategic individual with strong communication and negotiation skills to foster positive partnerships with pharmacy vendors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vendor Management:
   • Develop and maintain relationships with pharmacy vendors, including wholesalers, manufacturers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
   • Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and service level agreements with vendors to ensure favorable terms for the SNF.
2. Vendor Selection and Evaluation:
   • Evaluate potential pharmacy vendors based on factors such as product quality, pricing, reliability, and customer service.
   • Coordinate vendor selection processes in collaboration with the pharmacy leadership team.
3. Contract Management:
   • Manage contracts with pharmacy vendors, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.
   • Monitor vendor performance and address any issues or discrepancies promptly.
4. Cost Management:
   • Work closely with pharmacy vendors to optimize medication pricing and cost-saving opportunities for the pharmacy.
   • Identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvements in pharmacy procurement processes.
5. Quality Assurance:
   • Monitor and assess the quality of medications and pharmaceutical products supplied by vendors.
   • Collaborate with pharmacy and clinical teams to address quality concerns or medication-related issues.
6. Communication and Collaboration:
   • Serve as the primary point of contact for pharmacy vendors, facilitating communication and collaboration between vendors and internal stakeholders.
   • Coordinate meetings, site visits, and vendor presentations as needed.
7. Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:
   • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to pharmacy vendor relationships, including anti-kickback laws and regulations.
   • Stay informed about changes in pharmacy regulations and industry standards affecting vendor relationships.
8. Performance Reporting and Analysis:
   • Prepare and present regular reports on vendor performance, pricing trends, and cost-saving initiatives to pharmacy leadership and executive team.
   • Conduct data analysis to identify opportunities for improvement and inform strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• Experience in vendor management, procurement, or pharmacy operations, preferably in a healthcare or SNF setting.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of pharmacy procurement processes and regulations.

• Experience with pharmacy benefit management and reimbursement processes.
• Certification in Contract Management or Vendor Relations.

Working Conditions

• Works in office area(s), warehouse, pharmacy, and some positions work in a long-term care environment (i.e. nursing home, drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with customers, and customer representatives, family members, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicate with the designated facility staff, nursing personnel, residents, or family members.
• Works beyond regular working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Is subject to call back during emergencies (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B viruses.
• It may be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

Must possess and maintain any necessary active and unencumbered certifications, degrees, or licenses in the essential state, to the extent the position requires such certifications, degrees, or licenses.

Specific Requirements

• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must be able to deal tactfully with customers, personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must not directly threaten the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to read, speak, and understandably write the English language.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with customers, residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this company, which include a medical and physical examination if the position requires.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

All Other Duties as Assigned.

I understand this job description and its requirements; I understand that this is not an exclusive list of the job functions and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned; I understand the job functions may be altered by management without notice and that I am an at-will employee.

Accommodations

The company is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes that an individual with a disability may require accommodation to enable the individual to perform a job function successfully. I understand that I should discuss any needed accommodation with my supervisor. I agree to cooperate with the company in identifying and discussing any available reasonable accommodation that may enable me to perform my position's essential function(s).