Purchasing Agent/Buyer

Huron Regional Medical Center•Huron, SD

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent/Buyer orders supplies and equipment by preparing and processing purchase orders from requisitions and following up until items are received, accepted, and paid for. The position works under the general supervision of the Director of Materials Management and demonstrates HRMC’s REACH values: Respectful, Engaged, Available, Competent, and Helpful. The role handles supply requests from departments throughout the facility, obtains prices and product information, supports requisition preparation, and selects appropriate purchasing methods within authorized limits. It manages stock levels and perpetual inventory, follows up on back orders and delivery issues, coordinates returns and vendor replacements, and processes purchase-order invoices in Cerner for Accounts Payable. Additional duties include maintaining the storeroom, helping receive and distribute supplies, and assuming operational responsibility for the department when the Director is absent.

Requirements

Prefer at least one year of post-high-school education in secretarial or related studies.
Prefer at least two years of experience as a hospital buyer.
Visual, auditory, and speech acuity sufficient for verbal and written communication with hospital staff and vendor representatives.
Aptitude with numbers.
Ability to type accurately at least 35 words per minute.
Ability to operate a forklift to unload freight.

Nice To Haves

Computer experience preferred.
Spanish or Karen bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply for positions for which they are qualified.

Responsibilities

Handle supply requests from departments throughout the facility.
Prepare and process purchase orders and follow up until items are received, accepted, and paid for.
Obtain prices, quotes, and product information for user departments.
Assist staff with preparing requisitions for special-purchase items.
Consult with departments about substitutions when requested items are unavailable.
Review back-order files and follow up on back-order issues.
Review stock inventory in relation to usage and order depleted items in a timely manner.
Arrange vendor replacements for defective items and coordinate product returns.
Communicate with vendors about shipments, delivery shortages, substitutions, and price changes.
Analyze requisitions, verify costs are within authorized limits or have required approval, and select the appropriate purchasing method.
Manage perpetual inventory to maintain adequate hospital supply levels and coordinate timely distribution.
Match purchase-order invoices in Cerner, adjust pricing as needed, and deliver completed invoices to Accounts Payable.
Prepare returned-goods shipping vouchers for items requiring repair.
Create item numbers for chargeable and non-chargeable items and create vendor records in Cerner as needed.
Count inventory and adjust item balances as needed.
Organize the storeroom as needed.
Assume operational responsibility for the department in the Director’s absence.
Assist with checking in and putting away supplies, filling requisitions, delivering supplies, and receiving purchase orders as needed.
Participate in assigned activities and leadership development, and perform other duties as assigned.