Surgical Services Supply Supervisor

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

4/22/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

422010

Job Title:

Surgical Services Supply Supervisor

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Supervisor/Program Manager

JOB SUMMARY

This position provides dedicated supervisory leadership for supply chain operations supporting Surgical Services across UW Health hospitals and procedural areas. The Surgical Services Supply Supervisor leads and oversees a specialized team responsible for ensuring the timely availability, accuracy, and integrity of critical medical and surgical supplies required to support scheduled, urgent, and emergent surgical procedures.

This role requires advanced knowledge of Surgical Services workflows, case cart processes, sterile supply handling, and coordination with multidisciplinary clinical teams including surgeons, anesthesia, nursing, Sterile Processing, and perioperative leadership. Activities performed by this position have a direct impact on patient safety, procedural efficiency, and operating room throughput in a complex, high-acuity environment.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating Surgical Services supply operations; supervising staff; managing inventory control processes specific to perioperative care; responding to real-time operational challenges; and driving continuous improvement initiatives aligned with Surgical Services growth and expansion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Directly supervise a team of Surgical Services Supply Clerks and Senior Surgical Services Supply Clerks, providing daily leadership, coaching, and performance management.

•

Plan, schedule, assign, and adjust staffing to support extended OR hours, on-call needs, and fluctuations in surgical volume.

•

Interview, select, onboard, train, and evaluate staff in accordance with UW Health policies and performance standards.

•

Maintain employee timekeeping, attendance, competencies, and mandatory education compliance.

•

Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations dedicated to Surgical Services, including receipt, storage, staging, delivery, and replenishment of sterile and non-sterile supplies.

•

Ensure readiness and accuracy of surgical case carts for scheduled and emergency procedures, coordinating closely with clinical teams to resolve supply issues in real time.

•

Partner with Sterile Processing to monitor instrumentation availability, address shortages, and resolve quality or turnaround issues.

•

Lead response to urgent and emergent supply needs, backorders, substitutions, and supply disruptions that may impact surgical cases.

•

Utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP/MMIS) systems and barcode technology to ensure accurate inventory management, ordering, and reconciliation specific to surgical supplies.

•

Monitor inventory levels, expiration management, and product standardization within Surgical Services to ensure patient safety and fiscal stewardship.

•

Collaborate with Inventory Control and Supply Chain leadership on inventory optimization, emergency procurement, and redistribution strategies.

•

Serve as the primary Supply Chain liaison to Surgical Services leaders, nurse managers, and physicians.

•

Establish and maintain effective supply processes that align with Surgical Services workflows and maximize efficiency while minimizing waste and cost.

•

Proactively anticipate supply needs associated with surgical growth, new procedures, and OR expansions.

•

Design, implement, and lead process improvements related to Surgical Services supply flow, case cart accuracy, inventory control, and service responsiveness.

•

Support financial accountability through proper asset management, inventory accuracy, and adherence to budgetary expectations.

•

Participate in cross-functional teams focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and operational excellence.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field.

Preferred

3 years

of progressively responsible experience in materials management within a healthcare environment.

Required

2 years

of supervisory or lead experience overseeing staff in a healthcare supply or Surgical Services environment

Required

Direct experience supporting Surgical Services, perioperative areas, or procedural environments

Preferred

Certified Materials & Resource Professional (CMRP) or equivalent supply chain certification

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Advanced understanding of Surgical Services workflows, sterile supply requirements, and perioperative operations.

•

Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.

•

Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills; ability to communicate effectively with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders.

•

Proficiency with inventory management systems, ERP/MMIS platforms, barcode technology, and standard office software.

•

Ability to independently assess operational risks, make sound decisions, and escalate issues appropriately.

•

Commitment to UW Health’s Respect for People principles and performance standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

☒

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.