Inventory Management Specialist

This position serves as an Operating Room Inventory Manager Specialist in the Commodity Management Division with specialized focus on the Medical/Surgical Supplies of the Logistics Service in a Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) and supported catchment area, with responsibility for the inventory management of all expendable supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) and with oversight of implant inventory in the assigned area(s). Duties Responsible for analyzing, managing, coordinating, controlling, monitoring and accounting for and ensuring compliance of a variety of operating room general and/or medical surgical items. The position serves as the subject matter expert and the central point of contact for customers relative to any or acquisition need. Manages and controls this assigned class of expendable material for a VA HCS. Recognized as an authority on OR expendable (EX) commodity management and serves as a subject matter expert to all surgery service, prosthetics, nursing and SPS. Inventories managed include a wide variety of or expendable items and durable medical equipment (DME) which may or may not be available through the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) program or other negotiated or Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts. Acts as a central point of contact for the coordination of or commodity support and the resolution of logistics problems across organizational lines. Acts as a focal point for new OR EX supply procedures. Makes decisions and commitments for the medical center on medical/surgical supplies. Researches opportunities for and conducts analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns. Utilizes performance measures to conduct forecasting and quantitative analysis. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Conducts short, mid and long-term advanced planning for or expendable items and DME, utilizing enterprise-wide computerized planning tools. Proactively engages customers to make recommendations for product changes, substitutions and additions to product lines with a focus on increasing supply economy and efficiency. The position will frequently meet with Surgical Clinicians and the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) to review upcoming surgeries for medical/surgical consumable products required and lead support coordination. Performs analytical work to manage, regulate, coordinate, or otherwise exercise control over OR EX supplies. Forecasts short and long-range inventory needs considering changes in medical and surgical technologies, clinical scheduling changes and program requirements. Participates in VISN and facility strategic planning to support major and minor projects and initiatives, ensuring that supply and DME needs are met while considering cost, policies/procedures, sources of supply and other variables. Develops acquisition strategies to acquire and purchase DME, displaying familiarity with contracting laws and regulations with industry practices. Supports customers and acquisition personnel in developing requirements, utilizing mandatory sources and standardization of sources. Exercises Ordering Officer Authority in determining best value and contract sourcing. Analyzes and advises the customer on supply/DME purchase recommendations utilizing the "best value" approach, which may include criteria such as special features of the supply that are required in effective program performance that is not provided by a comparable supply; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; and past performance. Conducts market research on product pricing and performance. Responsible for reviewing the or schedules and anticipating the needs of the OR in advance. Coordinates and collaborates with scheduling personnel for resolution of conflict regarding equipment and instrumentation in consideration of scheduling surgical cases. Communicates to leadership team and staff all upcoming product trials, backorders and conversions on product in the OR. Works independently and is responsible for receiving and ordering initial stock requests for surgical implantable devices. Position interacts with prosthetics, nursing staff, and vendors, in researching items prior to procurement. Manages inventory, independently sets initial stock and par levels and reorder points and resolves issues for surgical services. Authorizes significant changes in expenditure and stock levels based on usage requirements and budgeting considerations. Researches opportunities for and conducts analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns. Work Schedule: Monday • Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Inventory Management Specialist/PD01795A To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/14/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 grade level. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/. Specialized Experience/Education/Combination of Experience and Education For the GS-09 grade level: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; developing and supporting the creation of acquisition strategies to acquire and purchase durable medical equipment; implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies; utilizing best practices, principles and tools, concepts and methodologies to determine and evaluate supply system performance; and serving as a point of contact for the coordination of material support and the resolution of logistics problems. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. OR Have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.