Planner/Buyer

Wellstar Health System; Lithia Springs (GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A major health system in Georgia is seeking a Planner/Buyer to manage and expedite stock purchase orders, collaborate with clinical departments, and ensure efficient inventory management. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, relevant experience in purchasing, and strong negotiation skills. This full-time position offers an opportunity to contribute to healthcare excellence while ensuring compliance with procurement processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, or experience in purchasing.
• Minimum 2 years in professional office experience with supply chain elements.
• Knowledge of MMIS and vendor contracting required.

Responsibilities

• Process stock purchase orders according to the Material Requirement Plan (MRP).
• Collaborate with departments for material needs and supplier relationships.
• Facilitate vendor compliance and manage inventory efficiently.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

MS Excel proficiency

Customer focus

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Economics, or related field

Tools

Infor Lawson application

GHX purchasing software

Job description

Join to apply for the Planner/Buyer role at Wellstar Health System

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well‑being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Job Summary

Creates, manages, expedites and processes a large volume of stock purchase orders based on the Material Requirement Plan (MRP) for Wellstar Health System. Facilitates the procure‑to‑pay processes by verifying, preparing, and forwarding purchase orders to suppliers as well as confirming orders and authorizing invoice payments. Assists in establishing requirements consistent with materials and supplies standardization. Collaborates with Clinical Value Analysis, Value Analysis Process Improvement, Clinical Resource Management, Resource Management and end‑user departments at Hospitals, Health Parks and Physician Practices. Mitigates and prevents stock outs by identifying departmental/clinical needs through facilitation of clinically approved substitutes and proactively managing back‑orders. Manages MRP for demand planning and forecasting. Facilitates gatekeeping of items stocked in inventory by managing changes that occur. Manages supplier relationships, costs, KPIs, and develops other external resources to keep informed of industry trends, supplier reliability, availability of supplies and emerging technologies. Works closely with Inventory Control and Receiving for day‑to‑day operations.

Core Responsibilities And Essential Functions

• Purchasing – Ability to determine the correct method to process purchase orders based on total cost, timeliness, competitive bidding, and existing contracts.
• Reviews requisitions for assigned service lines and departments for completeness of information and adherence to WellStar Purchasing Policies and Procedures.
• Processes purchase requisitions and manages Purchase Orders (POs) according to established policies, MMIS/ERP, and MRP.
• Ensures processing of emergency or overnight orders as required by service lines or departments.
• Obtains recommendations from suppliers for substitute items and obtains approval of alternate items from Clinical Value Analysis, Clinical Resource Management, or Resource Management.
• Develops an efficient and accurate system for monitoring all open purchase orders.
• Works with the distribution and receiving team to ensure that all deliveries satisfy the assigned purchase orders and reports any back‑ordered or missing products.
• Resolves all invoice discrepancies.
• Interprets and applies system procurement rules and policies consistently and with sound judgment.
• Verifies PO order placement and receipt confirmation via GHX and makes necessary adjustments to purchase orders.
• Processes returns as requested and/or required and manages the return goods authorization (RGA) process, including receipt of credits as appropriate.
• Ensures vendor credentialing within the WellStar Health System vendor management system for assigned service lines or departments.
• Manages and processes all returns to vendors.
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP) – Keeps service line inventory investments to a minimum while ensuring sufficient capacity by using requirements planning.
• Uses MRP master file and processes to calculate the requirements, orders, and projected availability needed to restock products with the Material Resource Plan model.
• Supports surplus and obsolete inventories and calculates safety stock for demand.
• Communication – Reports on task progress and answers targeted questions about progress as requested.
• Provides updates on specific requisitions, purchase orders or back‑orders as required.
• Serves as the liaison between departments and vendors regarding purchasing contract changes.
• Demonstrates empathy with customers' needs, including timeline and scope.
• Anticipates probable customer questions and provides timely answers to unanticipated questions.
• Uses daily interactions with others to develop or strengthen internal and external professional relationships.
• Informs Supply Chain leadership of any potential risks that could negatively impact patient outcomes.
• Responds to emails and telephone calls within an acceptable 24‑48 hour timeframe.
• Vendor / Supplier Management – Facilitates and enforces vendor credentialing with end‑user departments and suppliers; ensures supplier contract accountability and adherence; works with Supply Chain Contracts to ensure timely updates of vendor price files; assists with supplier onboarding and vendor file maintenance; creates and monitors supplier performance with a system that measures and provides feedback; ensures an uninterrupted flow of materials from vendors; manages obsolescence, physician preference and stock returns to vendor in line with department objectives.
• Contract & Data System Management – Assists Supply Chain Contracts team and assigned departments with reports and purchasing guidance; assists Supply Chain Data Systems team with item and vendor file assistance; meets with vendors and key stakeholders on new projects and process improvement; manages KPIs set forth in all Distribution Contracts.
• Support Management – Assists Value Analysis teams with data elements for projects; assists Receiving department with resolving shipments in error with orders; provides assigned service lines or department end‑users with system requisition processes training; explains purchasing procedures to internal departments and vendors; supports Inventory Control.
• Financial Stewardship – Works closely with Value Analysis Teams and leadership to implement effective sourcing strategies for major commodity groups and non‑salary expense savings initiatives; supports annual departmental savings goals and objectives; works with vendors and departments to ensure execution of identified cost savings; requests, reviews and/or benchmarks quotes to secure the most competitive bids; utilizes third‑party resources to obtain best industry price available; assists departments in product selection based on financial and quality options.
• Quality – Analyzes order requisitions and reviews for accuracy and completion; solves problems with orders efficiently; is attentive to detail and committed to excellence; looks for continuous improvements in current work processes and leads improvement initiatives; assists Supply Chain leaders in process and project management improvements; targets and achieves results while striving for best practice attainment; supports front‑line clinical teams in achieving patient care excellence.
• Teamwork – Works well with a team; reports task progress; manages internal peer conflicts successfully; forms professional relationships based on mutual respect and trust; contributes to pleasant and professional discussions about best approaches.
• Personal Responsibility – Thrives in a high‑stress and fast‑paced environment; complies with existing processes and policies; demonstrates confidentiality; accepts responsibility for own growth and development; handles multiple, multi‑disciplinary assignments; works independently and responsibly; demonstrates willingness to perform additional tasks; performs other duties as assigned; complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Economics, or related field and two (2) years of experience in purchasing and/or contracts administration OR four (4) years of experience in purchasing or contract administration in lieu of formal education.

Required Minimum License(s) And Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Production Inventory Management CPIM within 1 year or Material Resource Professional within 1 year or Certified Professional Supply Management within 1 year.

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 2 years professional office experience with an emphasis on basic supply chain and accounting principles. Required or experienced with Infor Lawson application preferred.

Required Minimum Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of commodities in area of specialization.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of automated materials management information systems (MMIS).
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, including Excel pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analytic functions, MS Word, Outlook.
• Experience with purchase order software platforms (GHX, Lawson).
• Ability to secure product samples, photos, and descriptions for departments.
• Broad knowledge of vendor contracting, procure‑to‑pay policies, and warehousing.
• Excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong customer focus ethic with a sense of urgency.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of operations management structure in a distribution facility.
• Understanding of departmental inventory management strategies and objectives.
• Ability to multi‑task and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Understanding of the uses of products in a medical setting.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

Hospitals and Health Care

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