Sourcing Specialist

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sourcing Specialist manages an assigned portfolio of products and services within the overall contract portfolio, potentially spanning multiple spending categories. The role negotiates agreements to optimize price, delivery, and terms, and maintains vendor and contractor relationships to support reliable sources of supply and information. In collaboration with supply chain, value analysis, and stakeholder leaders, the specialist selects, implements, and communicates contracts that meet health system needs; monitors market conditions and benchmarks the contract portfolio; and develops plans to standardize and optimize across the system. Performance is measured by cost containment and customer service. The position also assists in developing sourcing strategies aligned with GPO affiliate strategies, projects, and commodity initiatives. The Sourcing Specialist leads sourcing projects, vendor management, contract administration, and product or service conversion and standardization. The position supports internal customers and suppliers, coordinates meetings and projects, and provides management, leadership, training, and work direction for Buyers and Portfolio Specialists. It also helps manage front-line operations and contributes to departmental goals, patient and employee satisfaction, financial performance, and safety. The role requires physical presence onsite. The work is sedentary, with occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 10 pounds and brief periods of walking or standing. The position involves frequent contact with others, team leadership and coordination, vendor and internal-customer interactions, email, telephone conversations, and face-to-face discussions. Occasional speaking to work groups and sending memos or letters are also required.

Requirements

Associate degree or greater is required; a baccalaureate degree is preferred.
Experience in healthcare or a related purchasing field, with progressive responsibility interacting with vendors to acquire contracts or agreements, is required.
Three years of contracting and sourcing experience is required.
Financial acumen and intermediate spreadsheet skills, including the ability to create and modify spreadsheets and model different scenarios or outcomes, are highly preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationship, and customer service skills are required.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Must be able to lead teams, coordinate activities, and interact with vendors and internal customers.
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Physical presence onsite is essential.
Must be aware of surroundings when occasionally near pallet jacks and inventory transport equipment.

Nice To Haves

Baccalaureate degree.
Experience in a supply chain organization.
Financial acumen, including intermediate spreadsheet skills and ability to model scenarios or outcomes.
Past experience in a clinical setting.

Responsibilities

Evaluate competitive offerings to determine the overall best value for products and services.
Develop performance terms and acceptance criteria to support objective decision-making.
Lead competitive go-to-market sourcing initiatives and select appropriate sourcing tools.
Create detailed project plans, secure resources, and communicate organizational needs.
Lead vendor management and continuous improvement, including quarterly business reviews and quality assessments.
Develop, negotiate, review, revise, and execute vendor contracts while minimizing the need for legal review.
Manage consignment and vendor-managed inventory initiatives with Operations.
Facilitate and communicate product and service conversion and standardization; ensure timely processing of bids, group contract awards, insurance, leasing, contracting, asset management, and registrations.
Prepare information for and facilitate meetings with staff, physicians, directors, administrators, officers, and external participants for special projects.
Provide management, leadership, training, and clear work direction to Buyers and Portfolio Specialists.
Bid, negotiate, and award RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs; analyze complex proposals and agreements.
Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures related to Purchasing, Finance, Consulting, HIPAA, GPO, and Meditech Software.
Work with Finance to analyze lease-purchase capital options and maximize ROI.
Prepare and issue purchase orders and contracts.
Administer contracts, agreements, bids, and leases throughout their lifespan.
Ensure purchasing practices comply with applicable laws, policies, ethical principles, and standards.
Identify opportunities for price reduction and cost containment using improved products, services, software, tools, and technology platforms.
Develop and manage effective relationships with internal departments and suppliers.
Provide supply chain leadership, including direct supervision, delegating projects or tasks, and supporting staff members’ personal and professional development.
Manage front-line operations in the area of accountability to meet or exceed departmental goals, the 5 Keys of Excellence, and DCH Mission and Vision.
Maintain performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Perform compliance requirements outlined in the Employee Handbook and adhere to DCH Behavioral Standards and all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Perform essential job functions in a manner that supports the safety of patients, visitors, and employees; identify and reduce unsafe practices and take appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards.
Use electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and the intranet.
Perform other duties as assigned.