Summary This position serves as an Inventory Manager in the Commodity Management Division 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) in the assigned area(s). Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Manages and controls an assigned class of expendable material for a VA HCS and supported catchment area. Recognized as an authority on expendable (EX) commodity management and serves as a subject matter expert to all services and service lines. Acts as a central point of contact for the coordination of commodity support and the resolution of logistics problems across organizational lines. Makes decisions and commitments for the medical center on medical/surgical supplies that materially affect the VA HCS' ability to provide medical care to Veterans. 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. Conducts short, mid and long-term advanced planning for expendable items and DME. Uses a range of well-established and commonly applied inventory principles, standard and nonstandard methodologies, and concepts to determine need to intervene in the supply system in response to fluctuations in rates of usage, cost, availability for established suppliers, alternative sources of supply and other similar conditions. Proactively engages customers to make recommendations for product changes, substitutions, and additions to product lines with a focus on increasing supply economy and efficiency. Performs analytical work to manage, regulate, coordinate, or otherwise exercise control over EX supplies. Applies knowledge of systems, techniques and underlying management concepts for determining, regulating and controlling the level and flow of supplies from the initial planning stages with service lines, through procurement, storage, issue, utilization and disposal. Forecasts short and long range inventory needs considering changes in medical and surgical technologies, clinical scheduling changes and program requirements. 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. Conducts data analysis for acquisition planning associated with DME. Assists customers in the creation of Performance Work Statements for procurement. 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. Manages inventory, independently sets initial stock and par levels and reorder points and resolves issues for a complete medical or service category. Researches opportunities for and conducts analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns. Utilizes best practices, principles and tools, concepts and methodologies to determine and evaluate supply system performance. Analyzes, coordinates and controls management of stock items to support preparation of long-range forecasts necessary to support new requirements. Carefully handles highly specialized items which may require any or all of the following: sub-zero temperature control; delicate care instructions; sterile processing; and refrigeration. Manages consignment inventory compliance for non-VA owned product and ensures contractor meets obligations with regard to par levels, replacement of expiring/expired items, and all other aspects affecting service delivery. Conducts wall-to-wall and periodic inventories on own initiative to identify potential shrinkage issues or other supply chain discrepancies. Utilizes automated inventory management system. Analyzes inventory management reports including due-in reports, pending backorder reports, outdated inventory reports, inventory balance reports and 90-day inactive reports. Prepares submissions to VA Central Office and VISN to obtain approval and/or funding in support of VISN and/or national level expendable supply contracts. Solicits pertinent data from requesting services to compose written responses addressing requirements specified in regulations, i.e., justification, replacement data, nomenclature, estimated acquisition cost, etc. Acts as a central point of contact for the coordination of material support and the resolution of logistics problems across organizational lines. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period 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 dentification 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) Qualifications 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-07 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For the GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: ~Specialized Experience - GS-07: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that has equipped me 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting short and long range inventory needs; analyzing inventory management reports and the effectiveness of various options proposed to provide supply support; utilizing automated inventory management systems to maintain current inventory data; researching and analyzing information to resolve questions and issues, and implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. NOTE: 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~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. Completed 1 full year of graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (Note: Transcripts must be submitted if education is being used to qualify. Conferral date and degrees earned should be present on transcript. Unofficial transcripts are okay.) ~OR~ Combination of Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 grade level. You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. ~Specialized Experience - GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. NOTE: 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. NOTE: 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~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's OR equivalent degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related, in a major field of study related to the work of the position and which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. (Note: Transcripts must be submitted if education is being used to qualify. Conferral date and degrees earned should be present on transcript. Unofficial transcripts are okay.) ~OR~ Combination of Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 grade level. Applicants must possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. (Note: Transcripts must be submitted if education is being used to qualify. Conferral date and degrees earned should be present on transcript. Unofficial transcripts are okay.) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication, Contracting/Procurement, Planning and Evaluating, Problem Solving, Technical Competence, and Technology Application **Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. 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. Physical Requirements: Work is normally accomplished in an office setting; however, due to the nature of the position and duties, may be called upon to assist in the receipt, storage and distribution of various supplies, primarily consisting of lifting light boxes generally less than 40 pounds, utilizing appropriate material handing devices, and placing items on shelves or carrying them elsewhere on station or within the catchment area. Must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment. 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/. Education 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
