Pharmacy Buyer Senior

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

This role is responsible for executing ambulatory care pharmaceutical procurement activities, including routine purchasing for Community, Specialty, and Home Infusion pharmacies; cell and gene therapy procurement and workflow optimization; drug supply chain discrepancy resolution; virtual inventory maintenance; NDC optimization for cost savings; and support for ambulatory drug shortage management and inventory operations.

 

The position also leads process improvement initiatives, supports strategic procurement projects and pharmacy expansion efforts, and collaborates with ambulatory care stakeholders to enhance procurement efficiency, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.

 

The senior-level responsibilities build upon these core functions through functional supervision of ambulatory care buyers, department-wide subject matter expertise in Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) compliance and associated systems, and expert consultation on purchasing strategies, regulatory requirements, and operational workflows.

 

This position will be a hybrid remote/on-site model. 

Responsibilities*

Core functions (of Ambulatory Care Buyer):

  • Participate in the following purchasing activities with a high degree of independence:

    • Execute routine purchasing activities for ambulatory care pharmacy sites:

      • Community Pharmacy

      • Specialty Pharmacy (Joy Rd Service Center)

      • Home Infusion Pharmacy (HomeMed)

    • Execute purchasing activities for cell and gene therapies (CAGT)

      • Procurement

      • Workflow optimization

      • Account establishment

    • Investigate and resolve drug supply chain shipping/billing discrepancies as identified via DSCSA software

    • Maintain and update procurement elements within virtual inventory software, including:

      • Drug entries (NDC, pricing, etc.)

      • Shortage notes

      • Inventory level assessments

    • Analyze and implement cost savings opportunities via NDC optimization in ambulatory care pharmacies

  • Provide primary cross-coverage for other ambulatory care buyers

  • Support drug shortage management in the ambulatory care pharmacy space

  • Support operations and inventory management at Joy Rd Service Center

  • Perform other duties and projects assigned by Pharmacy Supply Chain Manager and Assistant Director

 

Core functions (of Senior-level Ambulatory Care Buyer):

  • All core functions of Ambulatory Care Buyer (as listed above)

  • Functional supervision of ambulatory care buyers, servicing:

    • Retail/Community Pharmacy

    • Specialty Pharmacy

    • Home Infusion Pharmacy

  • Serve as department subject matter expert on DSCSA, including but not limited to:

    • Owner of DSCSA policy and procedures

    • DSCSA compliance and auditing systems

    • GLN management for UMHS

    • T2 Master Data Repository Super User and site admin for all UMHS sites

    • Third party software maintenance
  • Actively participate in department committees by acting as a pharmacy purchasing expert consult.

    • Provide procurement content support for upcoming expansion projects, including Troy Medical Center and One Epic

  • Drive process improvements via partnerships with ambulatory care pharmacy stakeholders

  • Assist other buyers, acting as an expert consultant, with purchasing management activities, including:

    • Participate in the preparation of periodic financial, regulatory, activity & quality assurance reports.

    • Review standard operating procedures and workflows to identify areas for improvement

    • Investigate new programs and technologies to further optimize procurement strategies

    • Independently procures pharmaceuticals and ancillary supplies for UMH pharmacies at the lowest cost and from reliable sources

    • Independently coordinates institution-wide procurement activities/initiatives

    • Train new employees or students, as needed.

    • Collaborate and communicate with team members effectively.

    • Participate in the department's commitment to continuous improvement activities and principles through positive and respectful contribution in all problem-solving and change processes within the Department of Pharmacy Services.

    • Maintain competency in all job functions

  • Perform other duties and projects assigned by Pharmacy Supply Chain Manager and Assistant Director

Required Qualifications*

Associate Level

  • Competency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams as well as Google Docs

  • Current valid license as a pharmacy technician by the State of Michigan Board of Pharmacy, or eligibility to become licensed (refer to License and Certification section below).

  • Good decision-making skills

  • Proficient communication, computer and basic mathematic skills

Intermediate Level

  • All Associate Level Qualifications

  • Proven ability to effectively work with multiple stakeholders in a high-paced, dynamic ever-changing environment

  • Experience with purchasing and inventory software and platforms (e.g., BD Pyxis Logistics, Omnicell, Willow Ambulatory, etc.)

  • 3-5 or more years of relevant pharmacy purchasing or relevant experience

Senior Level

  • All Associate and Intermediate Level Qualifications

  • 5+ years of relevant pharmacy purchasing or relevant pharmacy experience

  • Experience in leadership/functional oversight of other employees

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals

  • Ability to organize and implement large scale projects

 

 

Desired Qualifications*

  • At least 2 years pharmacy experience, preferably in purchasing/inventory or equivalent experience

  • Experience and understanding of DSCSA systems and regulations

  • Experience in handling complex procurement processes

  • Ideal candidate will be patient-centered, highly motivated, team oriented, adaptable to change, innovative, and willing to take on tasks/responsibilities with autonomy and creativity as we are a growing program, and the working environment will continue to change

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.