Associate Director - Supply Chain, Pharmacy

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

1d•$104,000 - $151,000

About The Position

POSITION SUMMARY: The Associate Director of Pharmacy Supply Chain provides enterprise leadership for pharmacy purchasing, inventory management, cost optimization, and supply continuity across inpatient, outpatient, specialty, and community-based pharmacy operations. This role serves as an outpatient/inpatient supply chain leader, accountable for ensuring medication availability, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and standardized inventory practices while partnering closely with pharmacy operations, procurement, finance, drug policy, and clinical leadership. The position blends strategic oversight with hands-on operational leadership, managing teams, vendor relationships, and systems to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective medication use across the health system. Position : Associate Director - Supply Chain, Pharmacy Department : Pharmacy Admin - Procurement Schedule : Full Time ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES: Pharmacy Purchasing & Contracting Lead and oversee pharmaceutical purchasing operations across inpatient and outpatient pharmacy settings, including outsourced and specialty purchasing models. Evaluate, negotiate, and manage contracts related to drug acquisition, wholesaler services, technology, automation, vaccines, and specialty vendors. Ensure contract compliance through systematic audits of wholesaler pricing systems, GPO updates, and manufacturer agreements. Leverage vendor and manufacturer relationships to optimize cost of goods, rebates, and supply reliability. Coordinate purchasing decisions with Pharmacy Operations, Drug Policy, P&T, and other governance committees to support formulary and distribution needs. Inventory Management & Control Own enterprise medication inventory strategy, ensuring appropriate stock levels, inventory accuracy, and supply integrity across all sites of care. Establish and monitor inventory systems and controls, including item master maintenance, transfers, cycle counts, and annual physical inventories. Manage high-cost, low-use and specialty inventory to minimize waste, expirations, and emergency purchasing. Oversee reverse distribution, recalls, returns, and credits to ensure regulatory compliance and financial recovery. Support controlled substance inventory processes and influenza vaccine purchasing and distribution. Coordinate resolution of out-of-stock prescriptions, backorders, and supply disruptions in partnership with procurement and wholesaler teams. Ensure compliance with DSCSA requirements, including serialized product handling, traceability, exception management, and audit readiness. Cost Management & Financial Stewardship Serve as a pharmacy supply chain subject matter expert for spend forecasting, budgeting, and trend analysis. Analyze contracting and sourcing opportunities, quantify savings, and communicate financial impact to pharmacy and physician leadership. Establish and execute drug cost reduction initiatives in collaboration with Drug Policy, clinical leaders, and pharmacy operations. Maintain alignment of cost centers, expense classes, and financial interfaces related to purchasing and inventory transactions. Monitor purchasing and inventory variances, vendor credits, and operating statement impacts; act as a liaison to Finance and Fiscal offices. Drug Shortages, Recalls, & Supply Continuity Monitor national and local drug shortages and lead mitigation strategies to maintain continuity of patient care. Partner with clinical and operational leaders to identify therapeutic alternatives and implement system changes during shortages. Oversee recall management systems to ensure affected products are identified, quarantined, returned, and credited appropriately. Team Leadership & Process Improvement Lead, develop, and manage pharmacy supply chain and inventory staff across inpatient and outpatient settings. Define standard work, roles, accountability structures, and coverage models to ensure continuity of operations. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to standardize workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve system utilization. Develop and maintain inventory and supply chain dashboards to support data-driven decision-making. Represent the health system in external pharmacy supply chain forums, networks, and vendor partnerships as appropriate. (The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required)

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Business, Supply Chain, or related field
5+ years of progressive experience in pharmacy supply chain, purchasing, inventory management, or health-system pharmacy operations.
Demonstrated experience across both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy environments.
Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PharmD required OR Five additional years of relevant experience (in lieu of PharmD)
Strong working knowledge of wholesaler contracts, GPOs, inventory systems, and pharmaceutical financial workflows.
Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex vendor relationships, and drive cost and operational improvements.
Advanced analytical, financial modeling, and executive communication skills.
Monitor inventory performance metrics such as turns, expirations, stockouts, and inventory accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an academic medical center or integrated delivery network.
Familiarity with specialty pharmacy, DSCSA requirements, and drug policy processes.

Responsibilities

Pharmacy Purchasing & Contracting Lead and oversee pharmaceutical purchasing operations across inpatient and outpatient pharmacy settings, including outsourced and specialty purchasing models.
Evaluate, negotiate, and manage contracts related to drug acquisition, wholesaler services, technology, automation, vaccines, and specialty vendors.
Ensure contract compliance through systematic audits of wholesaler pricing systems, GPO updates, and manufacturer agreements.
Leverage vendor and manufacturer relationships to optimize cost of goods, rebates, and supply reliability.
Coordinate purchasing decisions with Pharmacy Operations, Drug Policy, P&T, and other governance committees to support formulary and distribution needs.
Own enterprise medication inventory strategy, ensuring appropriate stock levels, inventory accuracy, and supply integrity across all sites of care.
Establish and monitor inventory systems and controls, including item master maintenance, transfers, cycle counts, and annual physical inventories.
Manage high-cost, low-use and specialty inventory to minimize waste, expirations, and emergency purchasing.
Oversee reverse distribution, recalls, returns, and credits to ensure regulatory compliance and financial recovery.
Support controlled substance inventory processes and influenza vaccine purchasing and distribution.
Coordinate resolution of out-of-stock prescriptions, backorders, and supply disruptions in partnership with procurement and wholesaler teams.
Ensure compliance with DSCSA requirements, including serialized product handling, traceability, exception management, and audit readiness.
Serve as a pharmacy supply chain subject matter expert for spend forecasting, budgeting, and trend analysis.
Analyze contracting and sourcing opportunities, quantify savings, and communicate financial impact to pharmacy and physician leadership.
Establish and execute drug cost reduction initiatives in collaboration with Drug Policy, clinical leaders, and pharmacy operations.
Maintain alignment of cost centers, expense classes, and financial interfaces related to purchasing and inventory transactions.
Monitor purchasing and inventory variances, vendor credits, and operating statement impacts; act as a liaison to Finance and Fiscal offices.
Monitor national and local drug shortages and lead mitigation strategies to maintain continuity of patient care.
Partner with clinical and operational leaders to identify therapeutic alternatives and implement system changes during shortages.
Oversee recall management systems to ensure affected products are identified, quarantined, returned, and credited appropriately.
Lead, develop, and manage pharmacy supply chain and inventory staff across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Define standard work, roles, accountability structures, and coverage models to ensure continuity of operations.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to standardize workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve system utilization.
Develop and maintain inventory and supply chain dashboards to support data-driven decision-making.
Represent the health system in external pharmacy supply chain forums, networks, and vendor partnerships as appropriate.