LaKeishia Thornton

Mentor junior staff members (2-3) to elevate skills and performance.

• Coach team on effective procurement strategies for hospital and acute care facilities
• Coordinate daily activities to ensure project timelines are consistently met for our customers
• Train new staff in relevant processes and procedures

Manage TCP/TCUC alongside various departments' purchase orders to ensure prompt supply delivery.

• Effectively manage backorders- prioritizing critical supply needs, ensuring expedited fulfillment
• Manage 3PL (Third Party Logistics) inventory control systems to track stock levels, deliveries, and related information.
• Serves as a liaison between the vendor and primary customers, TCP/TCUC.
• Manages urgent procurement needs by actively monitoring emergency orders and initiating timely fulfillment processes.

Collaborates with Accounts Payable to prevent payment delays with suppliers.

• Respond to Accounts Payable requests for assistance on all invoice and purchase order discrepancies
• Coordinates with Accounts Payable to ensure accurate and timely payments, strengthening supplier relationships

Partnered with diverse teams to meet objectives related to Texas Children's Hospital, North Austin facility expansion.

• Worked closely with the Equipment Planning team to coordinate delivery of medical equipment in a timely manner
• Supported the Equipment Planning team in sourcing, tracking and deploying medical equipment with three expansion projects

Managed procurement activities for multiple medical product categories

• Confirmed purchase orders and updated buyer comments to reflect estimated time of arrival.
  Contacted department to notify delays exceeding expected delivery dates
• Worked with suppliers to expedite open purchase orders and shipments in-transit.
• Evaluated quotations received from prospective suppliers to award purchase orders.

Served as backup buyer for the Operating Room, managing supply chain needs for surgical inventory and ensuring uninterrupted support for both scheduled and emergency procedures.

Utilized EDI and GHX technologies to automate order processing and address match exceptions, contributing to reduced delays and improved procurement accuracy.

Supported evaluation of new ERP systems to enhance purchase order processing, tracking, and inventory management.

• Optimized purchase order processes for Texas Children's Integrated Delivery System, managing transactions up to $25,000
• Facilitated contract research confirming pricing through Group Purchasing Organizations like Premier and Child Health Corporation of America (CHCA)
• Validated invoices against Accounts Payable records
• Coordinated and supported capital acquisition processes through ERP- PeopleSoft

• Managed inventory levels to ensure availability of medical supplies.
• Maintained equipment cleanliness as a safety measure for patients and staff
• Verified accuracy of invoice charges associated with equipment rented from local vendors
• worded on pre-authorization for CPT billing codes

• Managed supply inventory oversight and maintenance processes
• Streamlined coordination of patient supplies and equipment delivery.
• Inspected and maintained durable medical equipment
• Resolved invoice discrepancies for patient equipment charges.

• Administered concessionaire contracts, ensuring compliance and timely execution of orders.
  Oversaw instruction delivery for enhanced service quality.
  Managed small purchase order contracts to streamline procurement processes.
• Coordinated construction contract management
• Knowledgeable in Army regulations 215-1 and 215-4
• Attended workshops for non-appropriated fund basic and advanced contracting courses