Surgery Buyer

Surgery Partners Careers•Altoona, WI

About The Position

The Surgery Buyer coordinates purchasing, replenishment, and inventory management of surgical supplies, instruments, and implants for operating room and procedural areas. The position supports surgical case readiness, cost-effective procurement, accurate inventory and utilization documentation, and timely resolution of supply issues. The Surgery Buyer collaborates with clinical teams, vendors, Supply Chain, and other departments while following organizational purchasing, quality, and regulatory requirements. The role is 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week), Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The position requires participation in physical inventory counts, independent recounts, variance investigations, and corrective actions, along with work on procurement, inventory, and patient-charging systems and workflows.

Requirements

Demonstrated eligibility for employment in the U.S.
High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
Previous experience in supply chain in a hospital or healthcare environment or as a surgical technologist.
Obtain pallet jack certification within one month of hire.
Effective verbal and written English communication.
Knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation standards, HIPAA regulations, patient confidentiality laws, and patient rights.
Knowledge of surgical implant documentation, bill-only transactions, consignment inventory, and purchasing reconciliation.
Attention to detail and accuracy; advanced computer proficiency; and general receiving and inventory process knowledge.
Ability to meet customer service standards, prioritize workload by urgency and importance, work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and continuously learn and improve.
Successfully demonstrate organization-wide performance review competencies.
Must possess a cell phone that interfaces with the organization's secure messaging system.

Nice To Haves

Previous inventory purchasing experience.
Experience with healthcare purchasing, ERP or inventory systems, and surgical implant or consignment processes.

Responsibilities

Source, order, and replenish surgical supplies, instruments, and implants based on case schedules, physician preferences, and usage patterns.
Ensure timely delivery of items required for scheduled and emergent surgical procedures.
Coordinate with vendors to confirm availability, obtain quotes, manage backorders, identify approved substitutes, and communicate shortages, expected resolution dates, and potential case impacts.
Use approved group purchasing contracts and organizational agreements and follow approval processes for new products, substitutions, and product conversions.
Monitor surgical inventory and consignment stock; maintain appropriate PAR levels based on utilization and lead times; rotate stock; and reduce excess, obsolete, and expiring products.
Maintain accurate item, inventory, and purchasing records in approved procurement and inventory management systems.
Work with OR schedulers and surgical staff to confirm equipment and item availability for upcoming procedures.
Proactively resolve supply issues that could affect surgery schedules or patient care.
Maintain and reconcile purchase orders, receipts, invoices, returns, credits, and related records; investigate pricing, quantity, and receiving discrepancies.
Maintain surgical supply and implant utilization documentation and reconcile records to support patient charging, billing, and reimbursement; coordinate discrepancy resolution with clinical and Revenue Cycle teams within assigned responsibilities.
Coordinate with physicians, surgical staff, and approved vendor representatives regarding case-specific materials, implants, and instrument needs in accordance with vendor access policies.
Ensure purchased items meet regulatory, infection control, and quality standards; comply with HIPAA, The Joint Commission, and internal surgical-inventory protocols.
Use the organization's secure messaging platform according to departmental protocols, including timely receipt of and responses to communications.
Coordinate receiving, verification, stocking, and distribution of surgical supplies and implants in assigned areas, ensuring accurate inventory transactions and timely delivery.
Process and reconcile bill-only purchase orders and applicable implant transactions, validate usage documentation, pricing, and contractual compliance, and resolve discrepancies with appropriate stakeholders.
Monitor and reconcile consignment inventory, including replenishment, ownership status, and accurate recording of usage and returns.
Participate in physical inventory counts, independent recounts, variance investigations, and follow-up corrective actions.
Coordinate approved product conversions and inventory transitions with clinical staff and the Supply Chain leader.
Participate in implementation, training, and ongoing improvement of procurement, inventory, and patient-charging systems and associated workflows.
Perform other duties as assigned.