PHARMACY BUYER

Samaritan Health Services•Portland, OR

2d•$23 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for the procurement, inventory control, and supply chain management of medications and related supplies. This role supports the pharmacy’s operational goals by ensuring the availability of cost-effective, formulary-compliant medications while minimizing waste and navigating supply chain challenges. The Pharmacy Buyer actively participates in regulatory compliance, formulary maintenance, vendor relations, and process improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Experience in pharmacy purchasing and inventory management.
Knowledge of regulatory compliance, 340B, formulary systems, and drug procurement.
Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Strong computer skills: familiarity with Microsoft office, Meditech, Omnicell, McKesson, Craneware preferred.
Ability to lift, carry, and handle totes and bulk deliveries.
Must be able to stand, bend, unpack, sort, and shelve medications.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Craneware

Responsibilities

Place orders for medications and supplies using approved vendors within bid guidelines.
Monitor inventory levels to avoid outdates using stock rotation and proper PAR levels.
Utilize McKesson, vendor portals, and reporting tools to track usage, costs, and shortages.
Maintain NDC, item numbers, and pricing accuracy in Meditech, Omnicell, and other inventory systems.
Stay current on generics, contracts, and formulary compliance; ensure cost-effective procurement decisions.
Minimize inventory on hand without compromising supply needs; monitor inventory aging and usage trends.
Verify accuracy of shipments; quarantine incorrect or damaged items and process returns.
Ensure proper storage of medications per regulatory and manufacturer guidelines.
Label shelves to identify hazardous, high-alert, high-dollar, and overstock items.
Maintain an accurate and current formulary across all systems.
Process additions and deletions per hospital protocols; communicate changes to stakeholders.
Stay informed on contract and rebate programs (e.g., FFF GX, Vaccines, One Stop generics, etc) and document savings where applicable.
Accurately issue and bill medications and supplies to departments, clinics, and agencies.
Process invoices timely and correctly, ensuring expense class, cost centers, and descriptions are accurate.
Manage expired and recalled medications in accordance with policies and regulations.
Understand processes for non-patient specific meds (e.g., crash carts, anesthesia kits, ED waste meds).
Adhere to DSCSA, 340B, hazardous medication handling, and controlled substance ordering procedures.
Maintain detailed records on drug shortages, returns, pricing changes, and vendor communications.
Monitor and act on drug recall alerts, shortages, and backorders; maintain contact list of manufacturers.
Attend educational webinars and training programs related to compliance and supply chain topics.
Share workload across the buying team and be cross-trained on all buyer duties to ensure coverage.
Communicate time off via shared calendars and ensure continuity of workflow during absences.
Develop and maintain cheat sheets, process guides, and inventory SOPs for training and reference.
Participate in self-education programs like 340B University and McKesson Knowledge Portal.
Educate pharmacy assistants and staff on inventory practices and error prevention.
Help onboard new buyers and pharmacy assistants and support education around clinic requisitions, billing, and returns.
Work proactively to develop systems for tracking par levels, outdates, and inventory trends.
Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities such as switching to generics or consolidating strengths.
Document financial impact of procurement decisions for annual reporting.