JobsAdvocate Health

Supervisor Supply Chain

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you found a discrepancy between the quantity in the inventory system and what was actually on the shelf. What did you do?

attention to inventory integrity and a systematic approach to root-causing errors rather than just fixing the number

Describe a time you had to manage or coach an underperforming employee on your receiving or distribution team.

direct supervisory experience and willingness to have hard conversations

How do you run a monthly one-on-one with a direct report so it's actually useful and not just a checkbox?

whether the candidate has a real people-management process versus just claiming they've done reviews

Tell me about a time a vendor or distributor dropped the ball on a delivery. How did you handle it and what came out of that conversation with them?

vendor management skills and whether they can hold outside partners accountable while keeping the relationship functional

Tell me about a project you managed from start to finish in a materials or inventory role, and what got in the way.

actual project management capability as named in the posting, not just task completion

Technical

Walk me through how you'd set par levels for a supply room that serves several nursing units with very different usage patterns.

whether the candidate understands the tradeoff between inventory turnover and stock-out risk in a real hospital setting

What experience do you have with Lawson or a similar materials management system, and what have you actually done in it beyond placing orders?

depth of hands-on system experience versus surface familiarity

Tell me about a time you had to explain an unusual adjusting entry in the general ledger that came out of a materials management system. How did you track it down?

comfort connecting operational data to financial accounting and diagnosing root causes

Situational

How would you go about doing an annual physical inventory count for a hospital supply room without shutting down operations for days?

practical planning skills and awareness of how to balance accuracy with keeping the hospital supplied

You get a call from a nursing unit saying they're out of a critical supply mid-shift. Walk me through what you do in the next ten minutes.

ability to triage urgent patient-care-impacting supply gaps under pressure

A department is constantly calling down for extra supplies outside their normal par replenishment. How do you figure out whether the problem is the par level, the process, or the people?

analytical approach to recurring operational problems rather than jumping to a quick fix

How do you decide when to increase staffing coverage, like using couriers, versus rearranging existing routes and schedules?

resource planning and cost-consciousness in day-to-day operations

How would you handle a nurse manager who is frustrated because supplies aren't showing up on time for their unit?

customer service instincts and ability to de-escalate cross-departmental frustration while staying solution-focused

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 11502 Enterprise Corporate - Supply Chain: Operations Illinois Masonic Medical Center Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Monday- Friday 7AM- 4PM. Weekends and holidays as needed Pay Range: $30.70 - $46.05 Major Responsibilities: Management of Supply Chain operations in a cost effective, efficient and safe manner. 1)Manages the organization and operation of the supply room, including establishing space and shelving requirements, bin naming and allocations and Lawson system maintenance for item detail. 2)Supervises Receiving and Distribution employees and activities, including couriers. Monitors receiving and distribution processes to ensure proper functioning. 3)Establishes and monitors par levels for supply room and inventory locations across the hospital. Sets par levels and reorder quantities in such a manner that balances efficiency (high product turnover) while avoiding stock outs or call downs. 4)Monitors and ensures the integrity of the inventory information in Lawson, including quantity, product information and cost information. 5)Performs periodic cycle counts to ensure the accuracy of on hand quantity information. Performs annual inventory count. 6)Researches and explains unusual adjusting entries in general ledger arising from Lawson Material Management System. 7)Trains Distribution and Receiving staff on Lawson applications and receiving / distribution processes. Monitors and reports Supply Chain associate performance. 1)Monitors and reports inventory turnover rates, stock outs, call downs, days of supplies on hand, etc. and adjusts par levels and processes accordingly. 2)Monitors and acts on daily order confirmations by accessing reports through Advocate online. 3)Conducts monthly 1 on 1 reviews with all direct report associates and documents the reviews Monitors and reports on Supply Chain operation achievements and areas of opportunity. 2)Works with Corporate Supply Chain to resolve issues regarding purchasing and contract compliance 1)Provides excellent customer service to Nursing and other departments in terms of supply availability, prompt response to questions and requests and meeting supply related patient / departmental needs Provides excellent customer service. 1)Works with distributors and manufacturers to resolve order / delivery issues 2)Meets with vendors to review scorecard of vendor performance, suggest changes to enhance service. Education/Experience Required: *High School diploma and some college courses *1-2 years supervisor experience *experience in the healthcare industry preferred *3-4 years prior materials management/inventory control experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: .• Consistently requires high level and advanced problem-solving, decision-making and analytical skills • Ability to function well under pressure and conditions of frequent interruption. • Excellent communication skill required. • Hours of work may vary. Proficient in use of basic office software such as Word and Excel. • Familiar with the basic ordering and inventory functions of Materials Management Information Systems • Project Management n/a Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: n/a This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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