Inventory Management Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Stockton, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is an Inventory Management Specialist in the Division of the Supply Management Service in the VA Health Care System. The specialist is responsible for managing expendable supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) in assigned areas and serves as a subject matter expert on expendable commodity management. The role may be filled at GS-7 or GS-9, with GS-9 representing the full-performance level. At GS-7, assignments are more limited in scope and performed with less independence. Advancement to GS-9 may occur without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met, subject to the supervisor’s discretion, availability of higher-level work, and funding.

The specialist manages an assigned class of expendable materials for the VA Health Care System and its supported catchment area. Inventories may include items available through the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor program, other negotiated contracts, or Federal Supply Schedule contracts. The position coordinates commodity support and resolves logistics problems across organizational lines, provides a focal point for new supply procedures, and makes medical/surgical supply decisions that affect the facility’s ability to provide care to Veterans. The specialist analyzes historical usage and other data to identify potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements; plans near- and long-term requirements using enterprise-wide computerized planning tools; and balances clinical needs with budget constraints in coordination with service lines, biomedical engineering, and other stakeholders.

The role also implements federal and agency programs for returning and reutilizing medical supplies, maintains activity formulary inventory, coordinates disposal of surplus supplies with property managers, and responds to patient-safety recalls for the assigned area. The specialist coordinates emergent procurement decisions related to national-recall back orders and participates in Root Cause Analysis following near misses or Veteran-care mishaps to help assess supply-chain impacts.

Work is normally performed in an office setting, with frequent trips to other areas of the Medical Center, including the warehouse and Veteran-care areas. The position may require assisting with receiving, storing, and distributing supplies, including lifting light boxes generally under 40 pounds and using appropriate material-handling devices. The employee must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment and must have a valid state driver’s license or CDL, as applicable, if required to operate a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not authorized and the position is not virtual. Recruitment or relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• For GS-7, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5, or qualifying education, a qualifying combination of education and experience, or qualifying Superior Academic Achievement.
• For GS-9, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, or qualifying graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include managing expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting inventory needs; analyzing inventory reports and supply-support options; using automated inventory-management systems; researching and resolving supply issues; and implementing return and reutilization programs.
• GS-9 specialized experience may include developing or supporting acquisition strategies for durable medical equipment, evaluating supply-system performance, and coordinating material support and resolution of logistics problems.
• Experience used to qualify must be documented in the resume with job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• Submit transcripts when education is used to qualify; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Current Federal employees who held a GS grade during the past 52 weeks must meet time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at GS-5 for GS-7 or 52 weeks at GS-7 for GS-9.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Driver’s license required; a valid state driver’s license or CDL is required as applicable if operating a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and control an assigned class of expendable materials for the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on expendable commodity management and advise services and service lines.
• Coordinate commodity support and resolve logistics problems across organizational lines.
• Serve as a focal point for new expendable-supply procedures and make supply decisions affecting the medical center’s ability to provide care.
• Analyze potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns.
• Plan short-, mid-, and long-term requirements for expendable supplies and durable medical equipment using enterprise-wide computerized planning tools.
• Analyze demand history, program requirements, facility operations, procurement lead time, stock levels, and other factors affecting procurement decisions.
• Coordinate with service lines, biomedical engineering, and other stakeholders to balance clinical requirements and budget constraints; compute supply and equipment requirements.
• Implement federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies and maintain activity formulary inventory.
• Coordinate disposal of surplus or excess supplies with property managers in accordance with agency directives and procedures.
• Respond to the VA National Center for Patient Safety Recall Office for the assigned area.
• Coordinate emergent procurement decisions with stakeholders when national recalls create back orders.
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis to assess supply-chain impacts following near misses or Veteran-care mishaps.
• When needed, assist with receiving, storing, and distributing supplies, including placing items on shelves or transporting them within the station or catchment area.
• Maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Prior work or military service may be credited toward annual-leave accrual if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed