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.
