Buyer Data Steward

Summary

This is an 18-month temporary assignment with full benefit eligibility. The Buyer Data Steward is a key member within the Supply Chain Department, supporting Akron Children's Hospital through collaboration, performance, and value-driven solutions. The role is responsible for overseeing the data lifecycle, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, consistency, and security. This role supports strategic initiatives and collaborates with internal stakeholders to enhance efficiency and value across the supply chain.

Full-time, 40 Hours/week, Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Hybrid schedule (2–3 days onsite). Akron, OH.

• Develop relationships and collaborate by communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, managing and advising via data while seeking ways to improve and enhance quality and service, including customer satisfaction.
• Maintain the company's information systems related to the supply chain including enterprise resource planning, contract lifecycle management, warehouse management, transportation management systems, and other relevant software and interfaces.
• Provide supplier performance data and metrics to identify areas for improvement and collaboration and support supplier data feeds.
• Provide supply chain data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement and prepare reports and dashboards to communicate core metrics and dashboards to key stakeholders.
• Monitor and maintain the quality, consistency, and accuracy of the supply chain data lake for control tower decision‑making, including data analysis and forecasting tools for demand planning and par optimization to ensure inventory at minimal costs.
• Identify areas for improvement in processes by utilizing Lean principles and recommending solutions.
• Ensure governance, adherence, and security to data policies and standards via education, audits, etc.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders while seeking ways to improve and enhance quality and service, including automation and solving problems in the procure‑to‑pay process for world class customer service.
• Process product, equipment, and service orders utilizing established processes, reports, and automation to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and organization procurement policies.
• Acquire requested items by verifying submitted requisitions for accuracy, approval, compliance to contract, then generating and executing purchase orders. May require minimal negotiation of pricing, terms, and conditions for non‑contracted items. Works directly with assigned service lines and product categories to provide transactional support for procurement processes, including consignment, storerooms, low‑to‑moderate‑dollar/risk purchases, and specialty items.
• Manage a variety of incoming procurement inquiries (phone, email, etc.), requiring a basic understanding of all procurement functions including purchasing, sourcing, and contract management. Ensure that customers and inquiries are addressed/resolved in a timely manner, and provide guidance on purchasing decisions, resolving service issues, and analyzing data to identify expense management opportunities.
• Analyze data related to expenses and purchasing trends, and processes utilizing Lean principles to recommend solutions. Ensure that all applicable reports are reviewed and maintained to minimize supply disruptions, facilitate on‑time payments, and meet targeted benchmarks for established core metrics.
• Reconcile invoice and delivery discrepancies, manage backorders, overdue deliveries, and vendor returns.
• Maintain relationships with vendors and resolve issues related to products, services, and payments.
• Conduct research and analysis, benchmarking, and audits to ensure data accuracy and implement best practices.
• Other duties include participating on project teams as assigned.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, and Word) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
• Experience in ERP, Lean principles, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools is preferred.
• Experience in healthcare is preferred.

• High school diploma or relevant is required.
• Bachelor's degree from a four‑year accredited university or college is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant data experience in a collaborative team environment.
• Professional certifications or credentials such as Certified Materials and Resource Professional (CMRP) or Certified Value Analysis Health Professional (CVAHP) are preferred.