Buyer Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies

i+solutions is a not-for-profit organization specializing in pharmaceutical supply chain management for low and middle income countries. We help meet the needs of countries by creating the knowledge, systems, and facilities to build local knowledge and increasing self sufficiency in local pharmaceutical supply chain management. Our key areas of expertise include:

• Procurement & Supply Services
• Consultancy services
• Training

i+solutions is a young and dynamic organization located in Woerden with local offices in South Africa, Uganda, Sudan and Washington DC. In Woerden we employ 40 persons; internationally our total workforce is approximately 60 persons.

Our clients include International Donor Organisations such as USAID, the Global Fund, Ministries of Health, NGO’s and private companies. The majority of our activities are being contracted on a level of effort base. We are the pharmaceutical procurement partner in the US Government funded PEPFAR program, the Voluntary Pooled Procurement program (VPP) for the Global Fund and the Global Drug Facility, with a total yearly procurement volume over 150 million USD.

In view of our growing international activities we are looking for a:


Buyer Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies m/v (fulltime)


The Buyer is responsible for accurate purchase order processing, either within the framework of established long-term contracts with suppliers or by utilizing tender or direct negotiation procedures in compliance with the applicable procurement and quality assurance policies such as the US Government Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) or the Global Fund Procurement and Quality policies. Procurement activities are carried out as per standard operating procedures, either in-house SOPs or those determined by specific client organisations.


Key Responsibilities
• Administration:
• Accurate data entry and maintenance of all order process steps in various CRM and Logistic MIS systems.
• Documentation of all relevant information on quotations and orders in hard copy and electronic files.
• Managing Requests for Quotations:
• Evaluation of client requirements and eligible sources.
• Solicitation of quotation for pharmaceuticals / medical supplies.
• Evaluation of bids.
• Negotiation on pricing and other terms.
• Awarding of orders.
• Order Processing:
• Creation of purchase orders as per requested specifications and negotiated offers.
• Obtaining required procurement approvals from client organisations / donors.
• Liaison with Supply Coordinators on smooth progression of orders through to completion.
• Liaison with suppliers on non-successful bids.
• Relationship management:
• Ongoing development of relationships with existing and new suppliers.
• Liaison with Inventory Manager on supply plans of Regional Distribution Centres.
• Liaison with customers and in-country teams on products specifications and supply plans.


Additional Responsibilities
• Handling of all order-related complaints with vendors in collaboration with Senior Buyer. Quality complaints are handled in collaboration with Quality Department and PSA Manager.
• Continuous monitoring of market developments, including new product approvals and new eligible sources.
• Continuous review of vendor performance and PSA performance statistics.
• Solicitation and review of new supplier/product information files for expansion of existing approved supplier base and product range.
• Preparation of tender bids for new PSA opportunities.
• Preparation and issuing of tenders / request for proposals on behalf of client organisations.
• Provide technical input and assistance to the Senior Buyer.
• Supervise maintenance of a Registration Database, by continuous registration data retrieval from Suppliers (delegated).


Qualifications
• Approximately 5 years of work experience in procurement, out of minimum 2-3 years in a pharmaceutical procurement environment, preferably complemented with working experience in pharmaceutical production environment.
• Educational level at least HEAO (upper vocational level), or a dedicated procurement education (i.e. NEVI 1).
• Excellent communicative and social skills.
• General good knowledge, with affinity for and knowledge of ICT.
• Analytical capacity and insight into business processes, both in the industry and in the business policy arena.
• Knowledge of international Pharmaceutical Quality Standards like GMP/GDP and Regulatory affairs.
• Experience in and knowledge of transport systems and international logistics.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities and work in a team with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Self driven with a high sense of quality, accuracy, efficiency and meeting tight deadlines.
• Fluency in oral and written English, knowledge of additional languages such as French or Spanish a plus.
• Strong computer skills, including sound knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office applications including; Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Experience in HIV/AIDS related activities and working with US government funded projects an advantage.
• Ability to travel internationally on occasion if necessary.


Conditions of Employment
The position is for a fulltime workweek (40 hours). We offer a dynamic and pleasant working environment, attractive salary and secondary benefits.

Reaction
Please send your CV and cover letter to: ubanerji@iplussolutions.org subject buyer, or to: i+solutions, Westdam 3b, 3441 GA Woerden, The Netherlands. For further information contact i+solutions at (+31)-348489630.