Senior Buyer

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

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

3/1/2023

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

420015

Job Title:

Senior Buyer

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Buyer is responsible for providing purchasing assistance to higher level department staff regarding purchasing fundamentals of UW Health's practices, procedures, and policies. Under minimal supervision, responsibilities include technical and professional level duties.

The Senior Buyer is responsible for accurately processing purchase order for general and specialized medical supplies, clinical supplies, medical equipment, services, and consulting with suppliers to research purchases.  This position is responsible for maintaining equipment standards and working with business leaders for Capital and Non-Capital equipment purchases and services.  Overall obtaining the best products and services at the lowest cost to UW Health. 

Customer service is the focus of the Senior Buyer role, providing consultation to internal customers in Purchasing Operations and Oracle Cloud ERP system policies and processes.  Our success is our customer's success, we exist because of them. 

This position requires close contact with UWH business owners to provide guidance on marketplace, product and service options, order status, and pricing information for complex purchases. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Liaise with Category Manager(s) in leadership and execution of Category strategy. Provides input, guidance and support for projects within the assigned Category.

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Provide knowledge and guidance for complex purchase requisitions and purchase orders for non-stock supplies, equipment, and services. Guide internal customers on the most efficient and cost-effective way to obtain the highest quality supplies, equipment, and services.

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Competently use Oracle Cloud to process orders, document order confirmations, review match exceptions, run reports, and research products and buying patterns.

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Establish executed contracts in the Oracle Cloud Procurement Contract module, including selection, adding and updating of items and suppliers within Oracle Cloud.

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Effectively utilize the Oracle Cloud Procurement Contracts and Supplier Contracts module to ensure accuracy of associated purchase orders, items and invoicing. Work with Supply Chain Informatics team to deliver accurate supplier and item information to internal customers.

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Verify pricing through local contracts and GPO (Group Buying Organizations) contracts and Procurement Contracts module. Ensure pricing is updated and data is accurate in Oracle system.

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Utilize market data, benchmarking tools and analytics to effectively assist stakeholders in supply chain decisions. Identify new opportunities for standardization and consolidation.

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Assist stakeholders in development of bid specifications, solicitation and analysis. Create RFIs, RFPs and RFQs and determine qualified suppliers to engage.

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Provide analysis and abstracting of quotations.

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Analyze system-wide spend and usage data. Utilize data to present opportunities to Category Managers and stakeholders. Analyze market information and forecasts for anticipated materials requirement. Utilize data to evaluate and select suppliers.

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Interface with suppliers to obtaining product information and alternate products.

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Maintain familiarity and understanding of UW Health medical and non-medical supplies, equipment and services to assist business owners.

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Ensures UW Health Standards, policies and procedures are followed, and contracts are being utilized within assigned areas of responsibility.

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Lead and mentor Buyers.

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Guide and assist business owners to adhere to UW Health Purchasing Policies and Procedures.

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Meet with sales representatives to update knowledge of new products, anticipated price increases, potential delivery problems.

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Offer assistance in a pro-active manner to include meeting with assigned departments in a frequency determined by individual department activity and need.

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Professionally handles all communication with suppliers and business owners.

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Assist in developing and maintaining metrics.

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Conduct special projects as assigned and lead process improvement projects.

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Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), interpersonal and professional interactive skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from suppliers, customers, management and inter-department staff. Capable of working with internal staff from other departments in a proactive and constructive manner.

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Provide proactive customer service in anticipation of needs. Respond promptly to requests for service and assistance as needed. Follow up as needed. Go the extra mile for internal customers, ensuring the customer has a firm understanding of Purchasing process and has required information

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

Associate's Degree

in Business, Healthcare or related field.

Required

or

Two (2) years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree in addition to the experience below.

Required

Bachelor's Degree

in Business or related field.

Preferred

5 years

purchasing and/or buying experience.

Required

• Healthcare setting experience.

• Oracle Cloud or similar ERP preferred.

Preferred

Certified Materials Resource Professional (CMRP) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Preferred

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

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Understanding of policies and procedures related to procurement activity.

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Understanding of sound business practices and principles.

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Excellent computer skills; comfortable working with spreadsheets, word processing and learning new software.

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Ability to communicate with multiple audiences and communication modes; effectively represents the Purchasing Department in all forums (groups, individuals, etc).

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Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with a variety of professionals.

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Ability to work with all levels of UW Health staff. Interacts primarily with staff, Managers, and some Directors.

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Excellent organizational skills.

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Planning / Organization - Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities/deadlines and shift priorities as necessary. Uses time effectively.

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Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions.

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Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Makes timely decisions.

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Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure. Follows through on commitments.

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Team player attitude with the ability to work independently.

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Detail Oriented – Attention to details and accuracy.

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Proficient use of MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☒

Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, 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 only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☐

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

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.