Lab Buyer

Job Title: Lab Buyer Job Description
The Lab Buyer is responsible for the accurate and timely procurement of laboratory supplies and equipment in alignment with contract terms and organizational standards. This role operates within a centralized purchasing team to support internal laboratory and patient service customers, maintain strong supplier relationships, and identify cost-saving opportunities while maximizing contract utilization. The position focuses on processing purchase orders, managing product data, resolving pricing and invoice issues, and ensuring that laboratory operations receive the materials they need efficiently and cost-effectively.
Responsibilities
- Process orders for equipment, specialty supplies, inventory items, and standing orders to support laboratory and related operations.
- Create and transmit supplier purchase orders using EDI, phone, internet, or email, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Document order confirmations, expected receipt dates, and backorders, and maintain clear records of all purchasing activities.
- Expedite orders as needed and coordinate approved product substitutions when supply issues or backorders occur.
- Negotiate pricing for off-contract items and ensure purchases align with contract terms and cost-saving goals.
- Support internal customers with supply ordering by maintaining and updating order templates to streamline recurring purchases.
- Advise internal customers on cost-saving opportunities, including minimum order quantities, standing orders, and delivery schedules within supplier contracts.
- Coordinate new site setups for laboratories, patient service centers, IOPs, draw sites, and other facilities, including orientation on ordering processes, product transfers, and disposal procedures.
- Assist in training newly assigned Purchasing staff on processes, systems, and best practices.
- Analyze product usage to identify savings opportunities by comparing contracted distributor pricing and manufacturer-direct pricing.
- Document identified savings and recommend items for negotiated pricing based on utilization and cost analysis.
- Serve as a resource for product and supplier information, collaborating with internal departments on product specifications and selection.
- Verify pricing against contract agreements and resolve discrepancies to ensure accurate billing and compliance.
- Partner with Accounts Payable, suppliers, and Contracts teams to ensure timely invoice payment and resolve payment delays.
- Address shipment issues, product quality concerns, and delivery problems by coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Obtain quotes and negotiate pricing for specialized products and services, focusing on overall value and alignment with operational needs.
- Research contracts for items not listed in the internal purchasing system and recommend appropriate products based on supplier proposals.
- Initiate and manage product and pricing data updates within the internal purchasing system, ensuring accurate, current, and non-duplicative product records.
- Coordinate purchase order price updates with the data analyst to maintain accurate pricing and contract alignment.
- Procure supplies and minor equipment for multiple facilities, ensuring consistent support across labs, patient service centers, IOPs, and draw sites.
- Authorize daily non-capital purchases up to the established threshold to support lab operations and related services.
- Work with current suppliers to place orders for goods and services up to a defined limit for laboratory support.
- Generate and review expedite reports, backorder reports, and open order reports to monitor order status and prioritize critical needs.
- Investigate supplier issues, research order discrepancies, and document findings and resolutions.
- Collaborate regularly with the broader buyer team through scheduled meetings to share information, address questions, and support continuous improvement.
Essential Skills
- Experience in purchasing or buying indirect goods and indirect services, preferably in a laboratory or healthcare environment.
- Familiarity with MRP or MRP systems and internal purchasing systems for managing orders and inventory.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
- Effective collaboration skills to work closely with internal customers, suppliers, Accounts Payable, Contracts, and other stakeholders.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal customers and suppliers and to interpret written and verbal instructions.
- Proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing software for tracking orders, analyzing data, and preparing documentation.
- Experience working with backorder management, expedite reports, and open order tracking.
- Knowledge of inventory processes and lab supply procurement, including managing lab supplies and related materials.
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment, demonstrating reliability, discipline, and accountability.
- Capacity to take thorough notes, ask clarifying questions, and follow through on action items.
- Passion for supporting healthcare and laboratory operations and contributing to positive patient impact.
- Ability to use standard office equipment and perform extensive computer and phone work with required visual acuity.
- Capability to interpret and follow procurement procedures and contract terms.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Additional purchasing experience and knowledge of formal procurement procedures.
- Experience with internal purchasing systems beyond basic MRP functionality.
- Prior experience in a laboratory environment or a closely related setting.
- Additional related education in supply chain, business, healthcare, or a similar field.
- Experience working with healthcare suppliers and understanding healthcare-related procurement requirements.
- Comfort working with data, including analyzing product usage and comparing pricing between distributors and manufacturers.
- Ability to participate in cross-functional projects such as new site setups and system implementations.
- Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals and recommend products based on overall value.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a remote team, contribute to a positive team culture, and enjoy working together while maintaining discipline in a home office setup.
Work Environment
This role is a remote work-from-home position, with the requirement that candidates live within approximately a two-hour driving distance of the corporate office in Phoenix to attend in-person meetings or training sessions as needed. The first two days of the contract will be on-site at the Phoenix location for training and to receive and onboard equipment, including a laptop computer. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with options such as 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., providing some flexibility within daytime hours. The position involves primarily sedentary work with periodic standing and walking, extensive computer and phone use, and the use of standard office equipment in a home office environment. Occasional travel to other facilities for meetings may be required. The role supports multiple laboratory and patient service locations, including labs, patient service centers, IOPs, and draw sites within a broader healthcare system. There is a buyer team meeting at 10:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, providing a regular roundtable for questions, collaboration, and shared problem solving. The organization pays for hours worked, and specific holidays such as Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day are observed as closed days. The culture emphasizes opportunities to positively impact patient lives, collaborate across departments, and grow within a large, established healthcare-focused organization.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Phoenix, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.27 - $37.90/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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