Buyer

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. Join our team in our mission to continue to put patients and families at the centre of everything we do, in the role of Buyer.

Unity Health Supply Chain is currently seeking a Buyer who has experience dealing with nutrient and food service commodities.

The role of a buyer encompasses requisitions, purchasing, and supplier relationship management through collaboration with end users, internal, and external partners to obtain best value for money in the acquisition of all goods and services used in patient care, education, and research in support of Unity Health.

Our Buyer’s primary role is to conduct the hospital’s purchasing transactions for their respective stakeholder using the systems, contracts, and processes in place to be both efficient and effective. This includes the entire purchase order life cycle - processing, monitoring, and resolving purchase orders; supporting receiving and finance; as well as liaising with suppliers. It may also include supporting the competitive procurement process in conjunction with the sourcing team.

A Buyer's specific duties include:

- Examine and analyzes end users’ purchase requisitions for completeness and accuracy of information; contact end users or initiator to clarify or complete information; determine method to process requisition based on dollar amount, timeliness required, existing open contracts, competitive bidding and policy.
- Process compliant requisitions and purchase orders within 48 hour time frame.
- Process emergency requisitions and purchase orders upon request.
- Maintain purchase orders.
- Monitor and resolve back orders, outstanding line, and supplier supply activity.
- Monitor and resolve receiving activity against purchase orders.
- Support invoicing and payment activity.
- Ensure early payment discount is collected by meeting terms of agreement.
- Maintain technical knowledge of assigned categories.
- Interpret purchasing procedures to end users and suppliers at an operational level; assist end users in initiating requisitions if required.
- Mitigate purchasing problems between end users and suppliers.
- Identify opportunities for consolidation and new contracts.
- Assist in developing sources of supplies.
- Provide updated contract, product and vendor data on a timely basis
- Attend meetings with other departments of the hospital as required.
- Provide support to other Buyers in times of absence.
- Provide support to the competitive procurement process.
- Other related duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Post-secondary education in Business, Supply Chain, Accounting or related field.
- 2 years previous experience in automated purchasing, preferably in a health care environment.
- Familiarity with Infor Lawson ERP system (Preferable).
- Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures and order processing experience.
- Proficient user of MS Excel and Word, and knowledge of Access.
- High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication (both verbal/written); problem solving skills and interpersonal competence are essential.
- Excellent customer service record with proven success working as a part of a team and maintaining effective working relationships.
- Well-developed organizational skills with the ability to work in a fast paced environment and prioritize tasks appropriately.
- Must be results-orientated and have the ability to multi-task.
- Excellent attendance and punctuality record.
- Alignment to the hospital’s mission and values