Pharmacy Purchasing Specialist

Springfield, Missouri, United States of America

Extraordinary Care. Extraordinary Careers.

With one of the nation’s largest, most innovative long-term care pharmacy services providers, there is no limit to the growth of your career.

Guardian of the Heartland, a member of the Guardian family of pharmacies, has an exciting opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing team in Springfield, Missouri.

Why Guardian of the Heartland? We’re reimagining medication management and transforming care.

Who We Are and What We’re About:

Our core focus is delivering customized medication management solutions to support healthcare organizations serving seniors and individuals with complex care needs. With our comprehensive suite of tech-enabled pharmacy services and a dedicated team of professionals committed to enriching the lives of those we serve, we are redefining how pharmacy care is delivered.

We offer an opportunity to learn and grow your career in a fast-paced, diverse, and inclusive environment. If you are looking for a challenging, team-oriented environment in which you can put your expertise to work, then this is the place for you.

SCHEDULE: MONDAY - FRIDAY 9A-6P

Under limited supervision, responsible for purchasing and inventory management for pharmacy.  Ensures pharmacy has sufficient supply of inventory to meet operational needs while maintaining targeted inventory levels.  Contributes to the achievement of budgeted margin target though cost-effective purchasing.

Attributes Required:
• Work Ethic/Integrity – must possess intrinsic drive to excel coupled with values in line with company philosophy
• Leadership – ability to lead project teams to deadlines, while maintaining strong team orientation
• Relational – ability to build relationships with business unit management and become “trusted advisor”
• Strategy and Planning – ability to think ahead, plan and manage time efficiently
• Problem Solving – ability to analyze causes and solve problems at both a strategic and functional level
• Team Oriented – ability to work effectively and collaboratively with all team members

Essential Job Functions (include the following):

• Continuously manage and maintain appropriate levels of inventory in response to ongoing utilization, shortages, backorders, recalls, and waste prevention.
• Review Purchasing dashboards and run reports to monitor purchasing metrics. Interpret and analyze data to identify opportunities to maximize cost savings and improve inventory turns.
• Navigate, review, and evaluate data provided in Surecost purchasing system to assess purchasing options.  Place daily orders for medication and supplies in an accurate and timely manner. Manages purchasing spend to maximize margin and ensure compliance with generic and warehouse purchasing targets.
• Review, update, and maintain drug file to ensure clean and accurate formulary.  Identify issues/errors and update NDCs in a timely manner. Audit for accuracy.
• Under direction from Support Services Purchasing, respond to and manage brand purchases in advance of price increases and generic events, to minimize inventory impact and maximize margin.
• Communicate relevant updates and problem resolution concerning product availability, pricing, and alternative products to pharmacy staff.
• Coordinate returns of overstocked/mis-ordered items to appropriate vendor in a timely manner to ensure full credit when possible.
• Process and arrange for expired and recalled inventory to be returned for credit or disposal.
• Coordinate and organize quarterly physical inventory. This includes quarterly updates to review turns, cycle count accuracy, purchase versus dispense reporting, and par level updates.
• Perform audit counts to maintain perpetual reordering system.
• Ensure accurate processing of purchase orders and invoices.
• Attend monthly calls and in person annual meeting with Support Services Purchasing to stay abreast of updates and current issues related to purchasing. Uses information, reporting and tools provided to effectively manage purchasing spend.
• Maintain all policies and procedures for functional area.
• Work independently and exercise independent judgement to resolve issues and deliver deadlines.
• Other essential functions and duties may be assigned as needed.

Education and/or Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree (Math, Economics, Statistics, Business, or similar) preferred
• Pharmacy Technician license/certification/registration (per state requirements); National Certification preferred (PTCB)

Skills and Q