Purchasing Specialist II

UHS•King of Prussia, PA

About The Position

The Purchasing Specialist II works in the Corporate Supply Chain Department and is responsible for assigned vendors and contracts, ensuring contract compliance and providing excellent service to UHS customers. The role purchases products and services for acute care, sub-acute care, and clinic sites across the UHS organization. It creates and transmits vendor purchase orders through electronic data interface (EDI), telephone, internet, email, and fax; tracks confirmations, expected receipt dates, and backorders; and expedites orders through delivery to the requesting location. The role also addresses pricing and invoice discrepancies in coordination with Accounts Payable, using EDI confirmations and GPO and UHS contract pricing information. Purchasing authority is delegated up to $50,000. The specialist reviews proposals and contract pricing, monitors orders and delivery, communicates delivery information, and works with vendors to address pricing and delivery factors. They seek cost reductions and process improvements, serve as a source of product and vendor information for facilities, ensure contract approval before issuing purchase orders, and maintain supporting documentation.

Requirements

Associate’s degree and 3–5 years of related experience; alternatively, 5 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the education requirement.
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, and an automated supply chain system.
Demonstrated commodity and vendor management expertise.
Knowledge of healthcare or clinical supplies.
Knowledge of automated supply chain reporting.
Excellent organizational skills.
Effective interpersonal skills for working with a broad range of end users and vendors.
Ability to interpret verbal and written information and instructions.
Ability to work under strict time constraints and manage multiple priorities.
Ability to solve problems and work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Process requisitions into purchase orders and purchase products and services for acute care, sub-acute care, and clinic sites within the UHS organization.
Review proposals and determine contract prices.
Follow up on orders, verify delivery, and approve payments.
Communicate delivery information to requestors and facility supply chain departments.
Review open order reports and expedite orders to meet delivery requirements.
Confer with vendors and analyze vendor operations to identify factors affecting prices and deliveries.
Identify cost-reduction and process-improvement opportunities independently.
Resolve invoice discrepancies within acceptable turnaround times.
Serve as a resource for facilities on product and vendor information.
Ensure contract approval is completed before issuing purchase orders.
Maintain files of supporting and appropriate documents.
Create vendor purchase orders and transmit orders through EDI, telephone, internet, email, and fax.
Record confirmations, expected receipt dates, and backorders on purchase orders; expedite orders through receipt at the requesting location.
Process price discrepancies with Accounts Payable using EDI confirmations and GPO and UHS contracted pricing information.
Maintain contract compliance and relationships with key UHS customers and assigned vendors.