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Pharmacy Purchasing & Inventory Specialist, Full Time

Southern Illinois Healthcare · Carbondale, IL · $23.19–$35.94 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found a way to cut cost or waste in an inventory process.

What they are checking: Whether they can analyze and recommend savings, which the posting asks for.

How do you work with Materials Management when pharmacy and supply needs overlap?

What they are checking: Collaboration with other departments to avoid duplicate orders and gaps.

How have you helped a pharmacy manager with a budget or spending report?

What they are checking: Comfort with numbers and reporting that support budget decisions.

What would you do

A critical drug is on national shortage and you are down to two days of stock. What do you do?

What they are checking: Resourcefulness in finding alternatives and alerting pharmacists early rather than running out.

How do you coordinate site-to-site sharing so one hospital does not run short while another has extra?

What they are checking: Logistics thinking across multiple facilities, which is central to this role.

Your inventory count does not match the system for an expensive drug. What steps do you take?

What they are checking: Methodical investigation of a discrepancy, which may point to error or diversion.

About the work

What do you know about 340B purchasing, and what goes wrong when it is not managed well across sites?

What they are checking: Understanding of 340B compliance risks like diversion and duplicate discounts, which carry real penalties.

How do you decide par levels for medications across several facilities?

What they are checking: Balancing usage, shortage risk and cost when inventory is shared between sites.

Walk me through how you handle returns and expired medications.

What they are checking: Knowledge of reverse distribution and credit processes that save money and keep stock safe.

What wholesaler or purchasing systems have you used?

What they are checking: Hands-on experience with the tools used to place orders and track inventory.

How do you handle receiving and recording controlled substances?

What they are checking: Careful chain of custody and records that DEA rules require.

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The full job description

As published by Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Current SIH employees need to apply for positions through our internal job portal. Log in to Workday to apply through the Jobs Hub. Position Summary • Responsible for assisting with specific pharmacy job responsibilities under the direction of a Registered Pharmacist. Education • High School diploma or equivalent Licenses and Certification • Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Experience and Skills • Technical Experience: 2 years of pharmacy experience Role Specific Responsibilities • Orders medications and supplies • Maintains pharmacy stock in all areas, ensuring proper inventory levels • Maintains inventory and return goods process • Initiates purchasing orders for all pharmaceuticals and supplies • Coordinates purchasing with SIH Materials Management office and other vendors • Assists Pharmacy Manager with budget • Accountable for purchasing and distribution activities involving multiple facilities/sites • Coordinates and Maintains compliance with 340b Purchasing across multiple facilities • Develops and Maintains logistical support for inventory production/distribution/sharing across multiple sites, including but not limited to site to site sharing, centralized distribution, and returns. • Analyzes and recommends potential cost saving or efficiency opportunities to pharmacy administration. Assists with implementation and managing of selected opportunities. • Ensures new items are properly submitted for charge codes and other IT or EMR processes. • Verifies computers are “ready to go” before releasing item to general use • Prepares and maintains documents such as (but not limited to) spreadsheets, graphs, presentations, dashboards, or other material in a manner that clearly explains the desired or requested information. Compensation (Commensurate with experience): $23.19 To $35.94 To access our Benefits Guide/Plan Information, please click the link below: http://www.sih.net/careers/benefits

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