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Senior Buyer

Bellin Gundersen · La Crosse, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 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 got a supplier to lower their price or improve their terms.

What they are checking: Whether they can negotiate to get the best value at the lowest cost.

Tell me about a time you had to explain a complex purchasing process to someone who just wanted their order.

What they are checking: Whether they can guide internal customers patiently toward the most efficient and cost-effective option.

What would you do

Surgery calls because a critical supply for tomorrow's cases is on backorder. Walk me through how you'd find a substitute.

What they are checking: Whether they can source quickly during a shortage while involving clinical staff to approve safe alternatives.

A surgeon wants a specific brand of implant that costs much more than the contracted option. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance cost with clinical needs and respectfully involve the right people.

About the work

How do you make sure purchases follow the contract and aren't going off-contract?

What they are checking: Whether they understand contract compliance and why it protects cost and quality.

Tell me about your experience with an ERP system. What do you use it for day to day?

What they are checking: Whether they can process orders, review match exceptions and run reports in an ERP on their own.

What's a match exception, and how do you resolve one?

What they are checking: Whether they understand three-way matching between purchase orders, receipts and invoices.

How do you work with a category manager to carry out a category strategy?

What they are checking: Whether they understand category management and their role in supporting it.

What makes buying for Surgery, IR and the Cath Lab different from buying office supplies?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the stakes, urgency and clinical rules around high-cost medical supplies.

How do you set up a new contract in the system and keep item and supplier data accurate?

What they are checking: Whether they keep clean master data, which prevents ordering and billing errors later.

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The full job description

As published by Bellin Gundersen.

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you’re looking for a job to love, apply today. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Emplify Health is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Purchasing team. The Senior buyer is responsible for accurately processing purchase requests for Surgery, IR, Cath Lab, and clinical supplies and services to ensure contract compliance. This individual will assist with supply shortage sourcing needs and consult with suppliers to research purchase options and to overall obtain the best products and services at the lowest cost to Emplify Health. Major Responsibilities Include: • Liaise with Category Manager(s) and leadership to execute Category strategy. Provides input, guidance, and support for projects within the assigned Category. • Provide knowledge and guidance for complex purchase requisitions and purchase orders for non-stock supplies, equipment, and services. Guide internal customers on the most efficient and cost-effective way to obtain the highest quality supplies, equipment, and services. • Competently use ERP system to process orders, document order confirmations, review match exceptions, run reports, and research products and buying patterns. • Establish executed contracts in the Contract module, adding, and updating of items and suppliers within ERP and/or Contract module to support Category Manager(s). • Effectively utilize the Supplier Contract module to ensure accuracy of associated purchase orders, items, and invoicing. Work with Supply Chain Informatics team to deliver accurate supplier and item information to internal customers. • Verify pricing through local contracts and GPO (Group Buying Organizations) contracts and Procurement Contracts module. Ensure pricing is updated and data is accurate in ERP system. • Work in tandem with Category Manager(s) to maintain contract compliance. • Utilize market data, benchmarking tools and analytics to effectively assist stakeholders in supply chain decisions. Identify new opportunities for standardization and consolidation. • Assist stakeholders in development of bid specifications, solicitation, and analysis. Work with Category Manager(s) to assist with creation of RFls, RFPs and RFQs and determine qualified suppliers to engage. • Analyze market information and forecasts for anticipated materials requirement. Utilize data to evaluate and select suppliers. • Interface with suppliers to obtain product information and alternate products. • Maintain familiarity and understanding of Emplify Health by Gundersen medical and non-medical supplies, equipment, and services to assist business owners. • Manages project equipment budgets and schedules. What's Available: • Fulltime, 80 hours biweekly (1.0 FTE) • Schedule: Monday-Friday days typically 8:00am-5:00pm • Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin Main Campus What You'll Need: • Education : Bachelors Degree in Business, Healthcare or a related field, or equivalent years of experience and education • Experience : 4-6 years of purchasing and/or buying experience • Ability to effectively collaborate with suppliers, clinicians, and organizational leaders. • Experience supporting healthcare purchasing operations is preferred. • Operating Room and/or clinical supply purchasing experience is a strong plus. In addition to the rewarding work, you'll receive: • A highly adaptable and mission-driven organization with a work environment that supports you personally and professionally and a work culture where you are valued and appreciated • Competitive Benefits: A comprehensive and generous benefits package (Medical, Dental, Life Ins, HSA/FSA) ensuring your comfort and well-being as a valuable team member • Substantial retirement contribution including a 401k match & annual discretionary base contribution • Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need • Professional Development: Support for your career growth through Professional Development Opportunities, our Tuition Investment Program, and our Career Development Center • Additional Employee Discounts and Perks Other benefits include a Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and AD&D, optional short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, identity theft protection, pet insurance, Inspire & Celebrate colleague recognition and rewards program, a discount program, and more! If you are looking to be a part of a stable and mission driven organization, we welcome you to apply! PRACTICES AND PROMOTES BEHAVIOR CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION, VISION AND VALUES : Mission : Together, we inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. Vision : Leading with love, we courageously commit to a future of healthy people and thriving communities. Values: Belonging, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, Humility Emplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not-for-profit, patient-centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities. I f you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact HR-Recruitment@gundersenhealth.org or call 608-775-0267. We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values — belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility — our pillars set our foundation and our future. Equal Opportunity Employer

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