Buyer

As a Senior Buyer at Cooper University Health Care, your key responsibilities will include managing procurement for medical devices and supplies, negotiating with more than 1,400 suppliers, and ensuring that over 45,000 active SKUs are adequately supplied. You'll be responsible for placing orders, verifying price and quantity accuracy, resolving invoice discrepancies, and providing internal customers with proactive updates on supply status.

To qualify for the Senior Buyer position at Cooper University Health Care, you'll need a High School Diploma as a minimum requirement, although an Associate degree is preferred. While 0-2 years of relevant experience is required, this role is ideal for individuals who are eager to learn and grow within the procurement field.

The Senior Buyer position at Cooper University Health Care is essential for ensuring that medical personnel have access to the supplies necessary for patient care and satisfaction. By managing procurement effectively, you help prevent supply gaps and ensure that vital medical devices are always available, directly benefiting patient outcomes.

Important skills for a Senior Buyer position at Cooper University Health Care include strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, proficiency in using MMIS/ERP systems for transaction management, and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. A service-minded approach will help in maintaining positive relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

The work environment for a Senior Buyer at Cooper University Health Care is collaborative and dynamic. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal departments, maintaining a proactive approach to inventory management and procurement to support the health system's operational needs, all while contributing to a culture focused on excellence in patient care.

When answering this question, highlight any relevant experience you have with procurement processes, such as managing supplier relationships and handling purchasing transactions. Emphasize any specific tools or software you've used, and illustrate how your previous roles have prepared you for the Senior Buyer position at Cooper University Health Care, focusing on the importance of timely supply availability for patient care.

To effectively answer this question, discuss strategies you use for prioritization, such as assessing urgency based on supply needs or customer feedback. Provide examples of how you have organized your workload to meet deadlines while ensuring that all stakeholders are updated on their supply status, showcasing your organizational skills.

When addressing this question, share a specific example where you identified an invoice or order discrepancy and describe the approach you took to resolve it. Talk about how you communicated with the supplier, what steps you followed, and what the ultimate outcome was to show your problem-solving capabilities and your commitment to efficient processes.

In your response, mention any specific ERP or inventory management systems you are familiar with, such as GHX or similar platforms. Explain how you've used these tools to monitor stock levels, process orders, and ensure accuracy in pricing and quantities, demonstrating your technical competency as it relates to the Senior Buyer role.

Discuss your methods for keeping abreast of industry trends, such as subscribing to relevant journals, attending workshops, or participating in professional networks. Highlight the importance of being proactive in learning and how this knowledge can benefit your role as a Senior Buyer at Cooper University Health Care.

When discussing your negotiation skills, provide an overview of your approach, emphasizing collaboration, active listening, and finding win-win solutions. Offer an example of a successful negotiation and the positive impact it had on supplier relationships or procurement costs.

In your answer, discuss the importance of proactive communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Mention strategies you use to mitigate risks associated with limited supplies, such as identifying alternative suppliers or adjusting purchasing strategies to ensure continuous availability for patient care.

Explain that successful supplier relationship management involves maintaining open lines of communication, understanding suppliers' capabilities, and building trust. Provide an example of how building a strong relationship with a supplier has led to improved service delivery or better pricing.

Share specific instances where your actions directly led to cost savings, such as negotiating better prices or optimizing the order fulfillment process. Highlight how those savings aligned with overall organizational goals and the impact they had on operations.

When answering this question, express your enthusiasm for working in a healthcare environment and how you admire Cooper University Health Care’s commitment to patient care and innovations. Relate your skills and aspirations to the specific responsibilities of the Senior Buyer role, demonstrating your alignment with the organization's goals.