At Houston Methodist, the Supply Chain (SC) Management Demand Planner position is responsible for leading and coordinating inbound demand planning activities for a safe, efficient and cost-effective flow of supplies to Houston Methodist System's clinical and ancillary end users. These activities include, but are not limited to, forecasting future demand and developing projection models to drive internal decision making and vendor discussions, analyzing inventory levels and supplier fill rates, and supporting management with risk assessments and supply interruption mitigation through sourcing alternative substitute supplies, leading expediting activities, and management of the third party logistics program. The Supply Chain Demand Planner is responsible for ensuring compilation and reporting of information as requested by Supply Chain (SC), Clinical Education, Infection Prevention and Control, and entity management or administration. This position also oversees maintenance and reporting for the recall and alert processing system and plays a key role in disaster preparation and responsiveness. The SCM Demand Planner position requires the ability to conduct high-level analysis, detailed problem-solving skills and strong communications skills.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works collaboratively with teams and may serve as a liaison with Supply Chain Management, Hospital Administration, Vendor Partners, and other stakeholders, as needed, serving as the subject matter expert for assigned service lines and/or entity(s) for supply chain management and vendor management.

• Interacts with all levels within the department, other institutional departments, and across the organization as well as outside companies to resolve problems/errors, supply disruptions or manage questions regarding supply chain demand planning or performance in a timely manner. Serves as role model and mentor to more junior team members.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops effective supply forecast models based on industry trends and operational demand patterns. Successfully communicates forecast and inventory estimations to management.

• Supports management with risk assessments and mitigation activities, including addressing demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner. (EF)

• Assists department administrators, faculty members, department leadership, hospital leadership and entity leadership in managing their inbound supply chain processes to meet their operational needs.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proposes and implements solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy. Conducts monthly forecast maintenance. Monitors and reports on important changes in supply chain forecasts, budgets, and business strategies.

• Develops, monitors and reports out on key system operational indicators and recommends improvements. Makes recommendations to management for improvement.

• Utilizes/enhances tools to improve the accuracy of supply chain analytics and mitigate disruption opportunities. Submits purchase orders and follow-ups with industry partners as needed.

• Manages the recall and alert processing system, including but not limited to creation of domain specific reports, escalation and communication of critical information and training

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for independently compiling and reporting information as requested by Supply Chain and Hospital directors, executives and stakeholders.

• Utilizes resources effectively and efficiently, demonstrating financial stewardship. Manages own time effectively and prioritizes work to achieve maximum results in a timely manner.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and monitors procedures and standards of practices (SOPs) for supply chain processes. Maintains working knowledge of hospital and industry supply chain methodologies and affecting government regulations as applicable. Identifies areas for improvements and makes recommendations to management. Shares knowledge and leanings with team.

• Proactively manages own professional development. Completes My Development Plan (MDP).

• Identifies and recommends opportunities to employ new or enhanced functionality in support of continued performance improvement. Develops and advances best practices and tools for business analysis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or relevant field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years' experience in a supply chain or business analytics role

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Solid understanding of inventory management practices and procedures

• Strong mathematical and statistical knowledge

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent written, verbal and data visualization skills

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

 

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.