Pharmacy Buyer

Houston Methodist; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking a Pharmacy Buyer to manage the drug procurement process, review purchase orders, assess contract compliance, and identify alternate product sources. The role coordinates automated ordering and supports economies of scale while resolving vendor supply issues.

Responsibilities include researching providers, ensuring policy adherence, and communicating across departments to optimize pharmaceutical purchasing and inventory management.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential functions.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers with a customer-service focus.

Responsibilities

• Completes activities related to drug procurement and reviewing medication purchase orders.
• Coordinates automated ordering systems and supports economies of scale.
• Researches providers, resolves supply issues with vendors, and ensures purchasing follows policies.

Skills

Procurement process

English proficiency

Communication with patients/colleagues

Computer skills

Team player

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Two years of college preferred

Tools

Word processing software

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Buyer position is responsible for completing a variety of activities related to the drug procurement process. The role includes reviewing medication purchase orders, assessing contract compliance, identifying alternative product selections, and facilitating procurement of pharmaceuticals and related supplies. It coordinates automated ordering systems and supports the efforts to consolidate and promote economies of scale. Additional duties include conducting research and analysis of providers, identifying alternative sources, resolving supply issues with vendors, and ensuring all purchasing activities are performed in accordance with purchasing policies and procedures.

FLSA STATUS

Non‑exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
• Two years of college preferred

Experience

• Three years of relevant pharmacy and/or purchasing experience
• Experience in healthcare and working with vendor contracts highly preferred

Licenses and Certifications

Required

• LPHT – Licensed Pharmacy Tech – State Registration – Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on‑going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential functions, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer‑service focus and positive language principles
• Advanced knowledge of the procurement process experience in a hospital or related field
• Proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems including word processing software applications
• Strong interpersonal and team‑player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and delivers excellent customer service to patients, visitors, physicians, and co‑workers

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

People Essential Functions

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team‑focused unit that helps achieve optimal department results
• Collaborates with staff and vendors to resolve backorder issues and secure acceptable product substitution as needed to achieve patient‑specific goals. Negotiates with HM departments to utilize existing items as applicable

Service Essential Functions

• Participates in negotiations for pricing, terms, service, additions to current contracts, and delivery of pharmaceuticals. Monitors wholesaler performance and reports discrepancies to recover lost monies
• Receives, processes, and arranges timely payment for invoices for all products acquired through pharmacy
• Attends committee meetings as appropriate to disseminate pertinent supply chain issues (e.g., P&T, MUFE, etc.)

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Evaluates use of off‑contract or non‑formulary purchases and ensures adequate justification exists for such purchases. Reviews all drug orders to assure vendor selection complies with optimal contractual advantages
• Reviews RASMAS recalls daily and takes appropriate actions accordingly
• Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge of vendor contracts, resolves and notifies management of contract, purchasing, or supply issues and opportunities

Finance Essential Functions

• Reviews all drug orders and takes actions necessary to assure vendor selection complies with optimal contractual advantages
• Manages price changes and average wholesale price updates. Ensures orders match price quotations and changes accord with contract terms
• Handles borrows and loans medications when stockouts occur; records and reconciles monthly required information of borrows and loans with hospitals involved, clears outstanding balances
• Uses resources efficiently, does not waste supplies, recommends solutions to achieve departmental objectives; self‑motivated to manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Works with wholesaler to manage automated ordering and inventory control systems. Seeks opportunities to create economies of scale and streamline supply chain processes. Assists with special projects to reduce costs and consolidate processes
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Pharmacy Buyer

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): Yes

On‑Call

• On Call: Yes

Note that employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events, etc.) regardless of selection below.

Travel

• May require travel within Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No