Pharmacy Buyer / Procurement Specialist / Warehouse Manager

About DirectMeds

At Direct Meds, we prioritize care, trust, and solutions that focus on the individual. We are a fast-growing national team passionate about transforming the way people access the care they need. If you're driven by purpose and excited by growth, DirectMeds is the place to be.

Pharmacy Buyer / Procurement Specialist / Warehouse Manager

Company: DirectMeds

Department: Pharmacy Operations – Purchasing & Inventory

Base Salary Range: $70,000–$75,000 annually

Note: The base salary listed above represents a good-faith estimate of the minimum and maximum target for this position. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on the candidate's geographic location, job-related skills, experience, and education.

1. POSITION SUMMARY

2. ABOUT THE ROLE

DirectMeds is seeking a Pharmacy Buyer / Procurement Specialist / Warehouse Manager who is responsible for purchasing, receiving, inventory management, and warehouse operations supporting two licensed pharmacies and their shared warehouse.

The campus includes: 503A compounding pharmacy locations

Each pharmacy maintains its own license, inventory, and records.

This position ensures both pharmacies remain adequately supplied, coordinates with the 503A PIC to purchase active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) from approved vendors, identifies alternate sources during shortages and supply disruptions, and places Class A orders for products manufactured by FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities.

All drug purchasing decisions and regulatory approvals remain subject to the responsible Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC).

3. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Procurement for Both Pharmacies

• Purchase all supplies and materials required for both the 503A and Class A pharmacies, including:
• • Drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
  • Excipients.
  • Containers, closures, and packaging materials.
  • Labels.
  • Sterile compounding supplies, including syringes, needles, filters, vials, and stoppers.
  • Gowns, PPE, and other protective supplies.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting agents.
  • Environmental monitoring media.
  • Office and shipping supplies.
• Maintain separate purchase orders, inventory records, and cost centers for each pharmacy.
• Ensure drug inventory is never transferred between pharmacy licenses without PIC approval and appropriate documentation.
• Establish par levels, reorder points, and lead times in coordination with each PIC.
• Monitor product usage and adjust purchasing levels based on demand, seasonality, and new formulas.
• Compare pricing, availability, and vendor terms across wholesalers and suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) terms when applicable.
• Track open purchase orders, backorders, and anticipated delivery dates.
• Escalate delays that could affect production, dispensing, or patient care.

B. API and Component Sourcing for the 503A Pharmacy

• Purchase API and excipients exclusively from PIC-approved vendors and FDA-registered establishments as required under Section 503A.
• Verify that each incoming lot includes a valid Certificate of Analysis (COA) meeting applicable USP/NF monograph requirements, where a monograph exists.
• Route all COAs to the PIC for review and approval before product release.
• Verify that each API is eligible for 503A compounding by confirming it:
• • Has a USP/NF monograph;
  • Is a component of an FDA-approved drug; or
  • Appears on the 503A bulks list.
• Flag any API that does not meet applicable eligibility criteria for PIC review.
• Check that products are not included on the FDA's withdrawn or removed list or the demonstrably difficult to compound list.
• Maintain a supplier qualification file for each vendor, including:
• • FDA registration documentation.
  • Applicable state licenses.
  • Quality agreements.
  • Vendor qualification and approval records.

C. Drug Shortages and Supply Chain Disruptions

• Monitor FDA and ASHP drug shortage lists, wholesaler allocation notices, and vendor backorder reports daily.
• Identify alternate sourcing options when a product or API becomes unavailable.
• Present potential alternatives to the PIC, including:
• • Other approved vendors.
  • Alternative package sizes.
  • Other National Drug Codes (NDCs).
  • Alternative strengths.
• Submit all proposed new vendors to the PIC for qualification before placing orders.
• Never purchase from an unqualified or unapproved source.
• Maintain a shortage tracking log documenting:
• • Affected item.
  • Reason for shortage.
  • Expected return date.
  • Actions taken.
  • PIC decision.
• Communicate supply disruptions promptly to affected staff and leadership, particularly when shortages may delay compounding or dispensing.

D. 503B Ordering for the Class A Pharmacy

• Place orders for compounded products from FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities, subject to approval by the Class A PIC.
• Before the first order and annually thereafter:
• • Verify that the outsourcing facility appears on the FDA's registered outsourcing facility list.
  • Confirm required Texas licenses or permits for shipping into Texas.
  • Maintain inspection history and available Form FDA 483 or warning letter information for PIC review.
• Verify that 503B products have appropriate labeling, including:
• • "This is a compounded drug."
  • "Office use only," where applicable.
  • Lot number.
  • Expiration date.
  • Storage requirements.
• Maintain separate purchase records, invoices, and transaction documentation for 503B products, apart from 503A purchasing records.

E. Warehouse, Receiving, and Inventory Control

• Manage receiving operations for both pharmacies through the shared warehouse.
• Verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing slips.
• Inspect received products for:
• • Shipping damage.
  • Temperature excursions.
  • Correct lot numbers.
  • Expiration dates.
  • Product accuracy and quantity.
• Quarantine incoming API and components until released by the PIC.
• Clearly identify and label quarantined, released, and rejected inventory.
• Ensure all products are stored under appropriate conditions, including room temperature, refrigerated, frozen, and hazardous storage requirements.
• Maintain required temperature monitoring and logs.
• Maintain physical and electronic separation of 503A and Class A inventory within the shared warehouse.
• Apply First-Expire, First-Out (FEFO) inventory rotation practices.
• Identify and remove expired, recalled, or damaged products.
• Coordinate returns, credits, and destruction of inventory with the PIC.
• Support cycle counts and monthly inventory reconciliations.

F. Recalls, Records, and Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor FDA recalls and vendor recall notifications.
• Identify affected product lots across both pharmacies and assist the PIC with recall procedures.
• Maintain purchasing and receiving documentation, including:
• • Purchase orders.
  • Invoices.
  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
  • DSCSA transaction information (T3s).
• Retain records for the periods required by applicable TSBP and federal regulations.
• Follow Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements for:
• • Trading partner verification.
  • Identification and handling of suspect products.
  • Identification and handling of illegitimate products.
• Support TSBP, FDA, and accreditation inspections by providing purchasing, receiving, inventory, and vendor documentation.
• Follow all pharmacy Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including vendor qualification, receiving, quarantine, inventory management, and recall procedures.

4. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING

The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for sourcing, ordering, receiving, and documenting inventory transactions. Final purchasing approvals, regulatory decisions, and product release authority remain with the responsible Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC).

Important: This position is not a pharmacist position. The employee is not authorized to make clinical, compounding, dispensing, or independent medication-related decisions.

5. QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two (2) years of pharmacy purchasing, inventory management, or procurement experience.
• Working knowledge of pharmacy wholesalers, including McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen/Cencora.
• Familiarity with pharmacy ordering platforms and inventory management systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or NHA certification (CPhT).
• Experience working in a 503A or 503B compounding pharmacy.
• Experience purchasing API, excipients, and sterile compounding supplies.
• Familiarity with USP <795>, USP <797>, and USP <800>.
• Experience with COA documentation and vendor qualification.
• Knowledge of DSCSA and TSBP recordkeeping requirements.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

6. KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Attention to Detail: Accurate tracking of lot numbers, expiration dates, NDCs, COAs, and purchasing documentation.
• Procurement and Negotiation: Ability to establish strong vendor relationships, negotiate pricing, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Problem-Solving: Persistence and resourcefulness in locating products during shortages and supply chain disruptions.
• Communication: Clear and timely communication with both PICs, compounding staff, warehouse personnel, and leadership.
• Organization and Time Management: Ability to manage competing priorities and purchasing requirements for two pharmacies simultaneously.
• Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of pharmacy inventory controls, documentation, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Accountability: Commitment to accurate and complete documentation. All purchasing and inventory activities must be properly recorded.

7. PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND EXPECTATIONS

Performance will be evaluated using the following operational measures:

8. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the warehouse for extended periods.
• Ability to work around refrigerated and frozen storage environments.
• Ability to handle hazardous drugs while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with USP <800> and applicable procedures.
• Ability to move between both pharmacies and the shared warehouse throughout the workday.
• Ability to follow cleanroom access, gowning, and hygiene requirements when entering compounding areas.

9. POSITION EXPECTATIONS

The Pharmacy Buyer / Procurement Specialist / Warehouse Manager is expected to maintain an organized, compliant, and efficient purchasing and warehouse operation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong ownership of purchasing activities, inventory accuracy, vendor relationships, receiving procedures, and regulatory documentation while maintaining clear communication and respecting the decision-making authority of each Pharmacist-in-Charge.

The primary objective of this position is to ensure that both pharmacies have the right products, in the right quantities, at the right time, from approved sources, with complete documentation and appropriate inventory controls.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package (Health, Dental, and Vision).
• Fully remote position.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for career growth within a rapidly scaling company.
• Exposure to innovative therapies in wellness and longevity.

To Apply: 

Submit your application and resume for consideration to join the DirectMeds team in Tomball, Texas.

Background Check Requirement

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check, in accordance with applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity

DirectMeds are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.