Distribution Technician (DISTRIBUTION CENTER)

RIH Rhode Island Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island Hospital, part of Brown University Health, is seeking a Distribution Technician to support supply chain operations across facilities. You will ensure stock integrity, process deliveries, and assist with recalls and substitutions while adhering to safety and policy standards.

The role requires familiarity with inventory handling, forklift equipment, and attention to detail, with duties extending to stocking, receiving, and coordinating with suppliers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent or more; able to work independently with good judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills for interaction with staff and departments.
• Ability to operate distribution equipment including electric pallet jacks and reach trucks.
• Able to read manuals and follow operating instructions for equipment.
• Mechanical and troubleshooting aptitude; numeric and clerical accuracy.
• If driving is required, a good driving record and valid license are required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain quality assurance and follow system policies and objectives.
• Count, organize, order, deliver, pick, package, and receive equipment and supplies.
• Keep stock in assigned areas clean, labeled, and organized.
• Order supplies per par levels and reordering rules; rotate stock (FIFO).
• Process recalls and substitutions; act on optimization reports.
• Receive materials, verify contents, and file proper records.
• Deliver orders within Brown University Health locations using appropriate vehicles.
• Unload supplies from loading dock; replenish carts in patient care areas.
• Interact with suppliers to confirm deliveries or initiate returns.
• May provide guidance and training to new staff; perform other duties as required.

Skills

Independent judgment

Interpersonal skills

Distribution equipment

Reach trucks

Instruction manuals

Mechanical ability

Numerical ability

Clerical ability

Driving (valid license)

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of Brown University Health Supply Chain Operations Leadership, Distribution Technicians provide high-level customer service and operational support to the caregivers and departments Supply Chain supports across all Brown University Health facilities. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains quality assurance and practice standards in accordance with established system policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Recognizes or anticipates problems and refers them immediately to the appropriate person for resolution if needed.
• Follows established processes to ensure uninterrupted supply of equipment and supplies to support Supply Chain Operations.
• According to the area, performs any combination of the following duties: counting, organizing, ordering, delivery, picking, packaging, put away, inspection, and/or receiving of equipment and supplies.
• Maintains stock within assigned areas in a clean and orderly manner including storage rooms and systems. This includes overall organization, shelves, bins, carts, and clear and correct labels.
• Orders according to established practices and rules with respect to par levels, reorder points, package size, unit of measure, and reorder quantities.
• Implements inventory management processes and principles including rotation of stock utilizing dated material policy and/or FIFO (first in first out).
• Operationalizes the product recall and substitution processes including communication as necessary.
• Acts on optimization reports per processes - cycle counts, stock audits, discrepancies, reconciliation.
• Receives material by verification of package or bin contents by review of packing slips, receiving slips, or purchase orders, and maintains appropriate records.
• Puts away materials in the correct location in an orderly and tidy manner.
• Delivers orders to various locations serviced by Supply Chain within Brown University Health locations.
• Unloads supplies from loading dock using hand and electric lift trucks as needed.
• Delivers supplies to Brown University Health locations using a truck or van not requiring a commercial driver license.
• Replenishes patient and other ancillary supply carts in designated areas.
• Maintains stock within patient care areas including but not limited to gloves, PDI wipes, etcetera.
• Interacts with suppliers to confirm or expedite delivery of orders and/or initiate the request for vendor returns.
• Performs other related duties such as answering telephone and pager, relaying messages, conducting stock audits and reconciliations, cleaning work area and photocopying, etc. as required.
• May provide functional guidance and training to new employees regarding supply chain operations.
• Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BASIC KNOWLEDGE

• High School diploma or equivalent required or greater than five years relevant experience.
• The ability to exercise considerable independent judgment in the performance of most daily duties.
• A high level of interpersonal skills to effectively represent Brown University Health and Supply Chain in interaction with all levels of personnel within and outside the organization.
• Ability to properly use distribution equipment including electric pallet jacks and reach trucks.
• Ability to comprehend and follow instruction manuals for operating, checking, and cleaning any necessary equipment.
• Mechanical ability to make minor adjustments on equipment and to recognize more complex problems.
• Numerical and clerical ability to check gauges, read charts and prepare departmental records.
• If performing an assignment that requires driving, must have a good driving record, meet and maintain the appropriate and valid drivers license in order to operate motor vehicles as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in accordance with the Brown University Health Fleet Risk Control Policy.

EXPERIENCE

• Three to six months on the job training to gain supply chain competency including applicable equipment and processes to support supply chain operations services to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical ability to stand and walk continuously for long periods of time.
• Must have the ability to lift fifty pounds, carry, push and/or pull moderately heavy store supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Some exposure to the outside elements and some heat and cold discomfort.
• Exposure to contaminated items, strong detergents, and antiseptic solutions.
• Any potential hazard is minimized by adherence to safety procedures and the use of protective clothing and equipment as directed by department.

INDEPENDENT ACTION

Functions independently within broad scope of department policies and procedures; refers specific problems to Supply Chain leadership only where clarification or exception may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

Pay Range: $21.90-$22.91

Location: Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type: M-F 3:00pm - 11:30pm Every other weekend, Every other holiday

Work Shift: Evening

Driving Required: Yes

Union: International Brotherhood Teamsters

As Rhode Island's largest health system and private employer, Brown University Health is the state's premier provider of health services and includes the only Level I Trauma Center for southeastern New England. Today, more than 20,000 people work at Brown University Health and bring their unique skills, experiences, and compassion to their jobs every day. Formed in 1994, Brown University Health is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, RI comprising three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children's; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children; Newport Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital and Morton Hospital, community hospitals offering a broad range of health services; Gateway Healthcare, the state’s largest provider of community behavioral health care; and Brown Health Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty practice in Rhode Island. Brown University Health is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of cultural background, race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and perspectives - we are actively committed to a diverse workforce that represents the patients and community that we serve. We are invested in creating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment that supports the holistic well-being of our employees and their families. Join us and help build a healthier future for our patients - and for yourself.