At Houston Methodist, the Procurement and Activation Specialist position is responsible for providing operational procurement services for Supply Chain (SC) management at Houston Methodist (HM). This position solicits, awards and administers evaluations and contracts. Develops and maintains vendor relationships and is responsible for invoice control and other procurement related activities in support of SC management and HM entities as needed. The Procurement and Activation Specialist position partners collaboratively with construction project managers in developing, selecting and managing the overall relationship with the vendor base, acting as the purchasing authority in contracting with vendors using defined technical specifications, quality and performance metrics, and delivery requirements provided from SC management and/or entity project managers. This position resolves vendor performance deficiencies, utilizing strong communications and collaboration skills by partnering with various committees, executives, physicians and department management and staff to accomplish goals and objectives.

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

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

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the primary point of contact for HM staff and vendors. Develops and maintains relationships. Assists in resolving disputes between vendors and HM stakeholders.

• Communicates and responds promptly in an active, positive, effective manner with all team members, staff and throughout the organization including vendors on behalf of HM.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Solicits, awards and administers contracts. Serves as purchasing authority with vendors.

• Participates in quarterly/annual business review meetings with major vendors.

• Facilitates the standardization process and develops strategic plans with the medical staff and clinical department for capital equipment.

• Partners with Group purchasing organization (GPO) to evaluate opportunities and utilizes GPO contracts and pricing.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures all requisitions have been properly vetted utilizing benchmarking tools and other programs for ¿best price¿ negotiations before Purchase Order is completed.

• Resolves vendor performance deficiencies with team members.

• Evaluates all capital purchase orders to ensure appropriate specificity.

• Ensures appropriate financial controls. (i.e. invoices match quotations, pricing in accordance with contract terms, GPO, etc.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures timely vendor payments and mitigates match exceptions in conjunction with Accounts Payable and vendor.

• Negotiates pricing, service, and delivery on all SC management capital purchase orders to ensure maximize financial stewardship and service optimization.

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

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and enhances professional knowledge. Attends appropriate training/educations programs, benchmarks with professional colleagues and stays abreast of industry best practices.

• Assumes responsibility for own professional development. Completes the My Development Plan (MDP).

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 Supply Chain, Business or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience in procurement to include three years contracting experience in a hospital setting specifically in capital equipment, maintenance, repairs and operations (MRO)

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

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

• Analytical and problem solving skills to assess and manage complex procurement and projects.

• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills

• Ability to develop relationships with colleagues and clients and gain consensus

• Ability to translate complex information to a variety of audiences

• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization, including executive leadership

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* Yes

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.