Category Leader

Facility: 1800 Parkway Center

Job Summary:

Provides facilitation and negotiation leadership for the assigned contract category portfolio with the goal of attaining the optimal balance of quality, service, availability and value. Works closely with Clinical Value Analysis Team, Value Analysis Process Improvement Team, Purchasing Team, Consolidated Service Center (CSC) Operations Team, Hospital Operations, Physicians, Clinicians, other key stakeholders, and Vendors to develop effective cost reduction strategies through consensus/collaborative decision-making processes and develop contracts based on WellStar Health System policy. Reviews assigned contract categories, develops the contracting strategy, and implements that strategy with the goal of attaining the best value, quality, and clinical outcomes. Ensures that all required approvals are obtained prior to contract finalization. Utilizes all available tools to gain market knowledge and to access best pricing of assigned categories. Works with key stakeholders to negotiate pricing and contracts for products and services based on assigned categories. Resolves problems associated with vendor relationships and contract renewals. Effective communications to key stakeholders including but not limited to legal, risk, department directors, executive leaders and supplier executives as required. All of these initiatives and efforts are designed to implement and sustain ongoing savings and value to WellStar's acute and non-acute facilities and align spend through system-wide initiatives.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Category Management, Project Management, and Leadership As Category Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for establishing and managing annual, detailed strategic and tactical plans for their category. Including - Standardization strategies. - Vendor consolidation and standardization strategies. - Savings plans and actions. - Utilization efforts and opportunities. Responsible for all communications specific to their Categories, including - Monthly initiatives and project updates and communications. - Program launch and awareness communications. - Utilize industry tools to gain knowledge of market, including - Market share – WellStar and national. - Market trends/news. - National benchmarking. - Prepare category contracts for processing. Including, not limited to: validating vendor credentialing; benchmarking; negotiating; completing analytics. Oversees processing of specified contract terms conditions including language review, financial analysis and input of contracts into the MMIS ERP system - Approves all contract price changes and uploads into MMIS ERP system. - Works with buyer/pricing specialist/accounts payable to resolve contracted price discrepancies. - Manage the full cradle-to-grave procurement cycle of WellStar contracts from the solicitation phase to award through closeout. - Works with various key stakeholders and leadership to identify potential Master Service Agreement (MSA) opportunities. - Identifies and provides education on business transaction review worksheet (BTRW) approval process to key stakeholders as necessary. - Drives best in class contract category management, best in class pricing, and favorable business terms; Ensures contract renewals prior to expiration. - Partners with vendors to ensure compliance with Vendor Management Program; validates compliance for all new and expiring contracts. - Responsible for monthly benchmarking / Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report as assigned. Financial Stewardship - Works closely with Value Analysis Teams and leadership to implement effective sourcing strategies for major commodity groups and non-salary expense savings initiatives. - Supports annual departmental savings goals and objectives. - Works with vendors and departments to ensure execution of identified cost savings as required. - Utilizes third-party resources to obtain best industry price available (ECRI, GPO tools, etc.). - Prepares financial analysis by developing spreadsheets that compare the costs of evaluated supplier’s products/services as required including but not limited to cost-benefit, SBAR, ROI, NPV, procedural direct/indirect margin analysis, and proformas. - Assists management in the tracking of vendor rebates as required. Communication - Reports on task progress and answers targeted questions about progress as requested. - Responsible for providing updates on specific contract/contract categories as required. - Serves as the liaison between departments and vendors in relation to contract changes. - Articulates and demonstrates empathy with customers' needs, including timeline and scope. - Ability to anticipate probable customer questions and provides timely answers to unanticipated questions. - Uses daily interactions with others to develop or strengthen internal and external professional relationships. - Informs Supply Chain leadership of potential contractual risks. *Responds to internal and external customer inquiries in a timely manner. Quality - Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence. - Looks for continuous improvements in current work processes and takes lead role in improving. - Assists Supply Chain leaders in process and project management improvements. - Assists in the targeting and achieving results, while striving for “best practice” attainment. - Supports front-line clinical teams in achieving patient care excellence. Teamwork - Reports task(s) progress to others as required, incorporating concepts from multiple streams of thought or data sources. - Manages internal peer conflicts successfully without resorting to escalation. - Forms professional relationships with teammates based on mutual respect and trust. - Contributes to pleasant and professional discussions about best approaches/practice with other team members. - Serves as a role model to peers, and Value Analysis teams, while achieving results within a team environment. - Builds strong strategic relationships with physicians, clinicians, business owners, legal, senior leaders, and other members of leadership. Personal Responsibility - Demonstrates an understanding of the sensitive nature of the work and the importance of confidentiality as outlined in policy and as directed by the nature of the job. - Accepts responsibility for personal growth and development through in services, required programs, and educational offerings. - Handles multiple, multi-disciplinary assignments at any one time. - Works independently and responsibly in meeting deadlines and setting priorities. - Demonstrates a willingness to perform additional tasks. - Emphasizes personal accountability and high visibility within the organization.

Required Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree Business Administration, supply chain, clinical field, or similar relevant field of study or Required or Bachelor's Degree Business Administration, supply chain, clinical field, or similar relevant field of study or equivalent experience in medical purchasing and/or contract administration required Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

Additional Licenses and Certifications:

Project Management Certification - optional Registered Nurse (RN) - optional Respiratory Therapist (RT) - optional Certified Surgical Tech (CST) - optional ACSM-CPIM - Production Inventory Mgmt - optional ACSM-CSCP - Supply Chain Professional - optional ISM-CPSM - Cert Prof Supply Management - optional AHRMM - CMRP - Cert Materials & Resource Professional - optional

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years Relevant experience in healthcare, supply chain, or clinical setting Preferred Knowledge of medical/surgical products, services and/or vendors utilized in a hospital setting Preferred Strong negotiation and communication skills Required Working knowledge of automated materials management systems (MMIS) Preferred Ability to develop spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel Required Ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously Required Will be required to exercise independent judgement and discretion Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Good organization skills. High Strong analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written. Medium Results oriented. High Must demonstrate fundamental project management skills and fundamental financial management skills Medium Demonstrates the ability to work well as a team mate and/or project team leader. High Familiar with spreadsheet and word-processing software programs. Medium