Pharmacy Buyer

UT Health San Antonio; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Health San Antonio is seeking a Pharmacy Buyer to support procurement and inventory operations for pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment. You will manage purchase orders, monitor PAR levels, and coordinate with vendors to ensure timely, compliant medication availability.

The role requires pharmacy technician experience, familiarity with Epic/Omnicell, and strong attention to detail. Candidates should be able to handle rapid priorities and collaborate with Accounts Payable and clinical

Qualifications

• Pharmacy purchasing and inventory control in healthcare.
• Knowledge of drug nomenclature, shortages, recalls, expirations.
• Follow purchasing controls, 340B, and contracts.
• Experience with pharmacy IT systems (Epic/Omnicell) preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and communication.

Responsibilities

• Purchase pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment per approved requests.
• Monitor inventory levels and usage to ensure availability.
• Create and process purchase orders and records.
• Receive and distribute meds; resolve shipment issues with vendors.
• Reconcile invoices and coordinate with Accounts Payable.
• Monitor shortages/recalls; escalate as needed.
• Support 340B compliance and contract terms.
• Maintain purchasing data and automated dispensing system updates.
• Perform pharmacy technician duties as needed.

Skills

Pharmacy purchasing

Inventory control

Epic experience

Omnicell

MS Office

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Pharmacy tech program

Pharmacy tech licensure

Tools

Epic system

Omnicell system

Job description

Job Description

The Pharmacy Buyer supports pharmacy procurement and inventory operations by purchasing pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment. Maintains accurate purchasing and inventory records and coordinates receiving, distribution, shortages, recalls, returns, and invoice resolution. Monitors medication availability and established inventory levels, communicates routine issues with vendors and internal partners, and escalates complex sourcing, contract, pricing, 340B, and product-substitution matters to the Pharmacy Business Specialist or pharmacy leadership. Collaborates with pharmacy staff, Supply Chain, Accounts Payable, and other departments to support timely, compliant, and cost-effective medication availability.

Responsibilities

• Purchases pharmaceuticals, supplies, materials, and equipment in accordance with approved requests, contracts, and departmental procedures.
• Monitors medication and supply inventory, established PAR levels, usage, backorders, and pending deliveries to support product availability while limiting excess and expired inventory.
• Creates and processes purchase orders and requisitions and maintains accurate electronic and paper purchasing, receiving, and inventory records.
• Receives and distributes medications and supplies; investigates shipment discrepancies, damages, and missing items and coordinates routine resolution with vendors.
• Reconciles invoices, credits, returns, and receipt documentation and works with Accounts Payable to resolve routine payment discrepancies.
• Monitors shortages, recalls, and product availability; researches potential sources or alternatives and escalates clinical, formulary, contract, or high-cost decisions for review.
• Supports compliance with group purchasing organization contracts, 340B purchasing requirements, controlled-substance controls, and applicable organizational policies.
• Coordinates medication returns, expired-product processing, recalls, borrow-and-loan transactions, and annual inventory activities with complete documentation.
• Maintains assigned purchasing, inventory, pharmacy information, and automated dispensing system data and communicates needed updates or discrepancies.
• Generates routine purchasing, inventory, shortage, and expense reports and reports material price changes or unusual trends to the Pharmacy Business Specialist or pharmacy leadership.
• Completes pharmacy technician duties and other related responsibilities as assigned to support departmental operations.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical purchasing, inventory control, drug nomenclature, and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of medication shortages, recalls, returns, expirations, and appropriate handling requirements.
• Ability to follow purchasing controls, group purchasing organization contracts, 340B requirements, and departmental procedures.
• Proficiency using pharmacy information, purchasing, inventory, and automated dispensing systems; experience with Epic and Omnicell is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when processing orders, invoices, receipts, and inventory documentation.
• Ability to organize competing priorities, respond to urgent medication needs, and meet established deadlines.
• Effective written, verbal, customer service, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role, including prolonged sitting or standing and lifting up to 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education

• Pharmacy tech program required

Certification/Licensure

• Registered Pharmacy Tech required

Required Skills

Three (3) years of pharmacy technician, pharmacy purchasing, inventory, or healthcare supply experience is required. Hospital or health-system pharmacy purchasing experience is preferred.