Pharmacy Buyer

Shift: Monday - Friday Days
Department: Pharmacy

* Base Pay Range: $27.21 - $42.99/hour, based on experience

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Health Care is looking for a detail-oriented, strategic, and collaborative Pharmacy Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment and is passionate about making a meaningful impact on patient care. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with a keen eye for efficiency, cost stewardship, and continuous improvement, who can confidently navigate complex inventory and purchasing challenges. We value professionals who build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and work seamlessly with colleagues, leaders, and vendor partners to achieve shared goals. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys analyzing opportunities, driving innovative cost-saving initiatives, and staying ahead of industry trends in pharmaceutical procurement. Successful candidates will bring a strong sense of accountability, adaptability, and customer service excellence while fostering a positive and collaborative team environment. Join MU Health Care and play a vital role in helping ensure our patients and care teams have access to the medications and resources they need to deliver exceptional care.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

* Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one

* Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays

* Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8%and full vesting in three years

* Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)

* Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

* See a comprehensive list of benefitshere.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Identify and implement savings initiatives, i.e., a generic forecast along with opportunities to reduce drug wastage and expiration.

Effectively manage procurement and distribution of pharmaceuticals according to GPO and vendor contracts, including the handling of drug shortages with alternatives.

Coordinate annual physical medication inventory for MU Health Care.

Manage all pharmaceutical purchase accounts, including 340B, via monthly review and inventory management.

Participate in monthly drug budget review, such as tracking high-cost drug use and non-formulary spend. Participate in quarterly wholesaler drug purchase review.

Monitor stock to ensure current dated pharmaceutical supplies, remove expired stock, and arrange for the return for proper reimbursement.

Oversee management of adequate inventory and floor stock par levels of pharmaceuticals.

Provide effective communication to management, co-workers, and vendors to establish collaborative communication, especially as related to the activity status of pharmaceutical accounts. Proactively review current vendor contracts and make recommendations to pharmacy managers regarding necessary changes or potential new vendor relationships. Serve as a professional and knowledgeable representative of the organization to outside vendors.

Follow all MU Health Care policies when meeting with industry representatives or other vendors.

Provide training and assess the performance of pharmacy inventory staff members as delegated by the pharmacy manager. Foster positive team collaboration and staff development to facilitate efficient operations, employee engagement, and achievement of customer service goals.

Discuss new product usage, cost, and availability with pharmaceutical industry representatives in order to keep abreast of changes in the industry.

Actively engage in professional development to maintain current skills and knowledge of business trends and best practices.

May complete unit/department-specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience as a pharmacy technician or pharmaceutical or medical supply purchasing agent.

Pharmacy Technician licensure by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy.

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) certification by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) within (1) year as a condition of employment in this job classification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.