Pharmacy Purchasing Technician - Full Time - Variable

Valley Health System • Utica, NY

121d • $19 - $24

About The Position

The Pharmacy Purchasing Technician is responsible for managing and optimizing the acquisition of pharmaceuticals and related supplies for a large health system with 373 inpatient beds, a robust 340B drug-pricing program, and a dedicated infusion center while also servicing medical groups. This role ensures timely, cost-effective procurement while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and organizational regulations, and supporting safe patient care across inpatient, outpatient, and infusion services.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year of experience in pharmacy purchasing, supply chain purchasing, or materials management purchasing—preferably within a hospital or health-system setting.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with GPO contracting and group purchasing agreements.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to collaborate across clinical and administrative teams.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, initiative, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of 340B program requirements for drug purchasing.
• Proficiency with pharmacy information systems (e.g., Pyxis, Omnicell, McKesson, Cerner) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).

Responsibilities

• Monitor par levels and usage patterns for inpatient, outpatient, and infusion medications; generate purchase orders to maintain optimal stock.
• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate pricing and contracts with wholesalers, manufacturers, and GPOs to secure the best value.
• Process emergency and special-order requests promptly to avoid delays in patient care.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and contract managers to streamline order fulfillment.
• Review and reconcile invoices, contract terms, and pricing agreements; resolve discrepancies in partnership with finance and contracting teams.
• Accurately enter purchase orders, receipts, and adjustments into the pharmacy management system (e.g., McKesson, Cerner).
• Generate and analyze procurement reports to identify cost-saving opportunities, forecast demand, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Work closely with clinical pharmacists, nursing leadership, and the infusion center team to anticipate upcoming therapies and special compounding needs.
• Partner with finance and supply chain departments to align budgeting, capital planning, and inventory reduction goals.
• Stay current on USP standards, 340b program rules, DEA controlled substance regulations, and state pharmacy laws; ensure all purchasing activities comply.
• Participate in internal audits, quality improvement initiatives, and safety committees to uphold pharmacy standards.
• Identify process inefficiencies and propose workflow enhancements or system upgrades.
• Assist in training and mentoring new purchasing staff and pharmacy technicians on procurement policies and 340B best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Full-Time Employee Status
• Variable Shift Hours Worked: 7.50
• Pay Range: $19.15 - $24.89 Per Hour

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: High school or GED