Senior Healthcare Consultant(s) & Staffing Firm

The State of Minnesota is seeking proposals for Senior Healthcare Consultant(s) and Consultant Staffing Firm services. The selected consultant(s) will serve as a regional Senior Healthcare Consultant and perform tasks related to sustaining and further developing customer/member relationships of MMCAP members within the geographic territory proposed to cover. The scope of work includes educating existing and prospective members on MMCAP's purpose and mission, increasing member understanding and usage of MMCAP contracts, recruiting new member facilities, and retaining current member facilities. The consultant(s) will also be responsible for conducting business reviews, providing member services, managing accounts, developing and improving member contract compliance, and resolving problems or issues. Some key responsibilities and requirements include: • Educating existing and prospective member facilities on the benefits of MMCAP and exploring options on how customers can save money and add efficiencies to their purchasing processes by utilizing MMCAP programs and contracts. • Conducting business reviews, providing member services, managing accounts, developing and improving member contract compliance, and resolving problems or issues. • Training and educating MMCAP members and prospective members on MMCAP policies, procedures, and purchasing best practices. • Gathering market intelligence and reporting key information to MMCAP management, contract managers, and appropriate staff members. • Representing MMCAP at industry conferences and meetings, and exhibiting at trade shows. • Consulting and collaborating with other knowledgeable public and private organizations, trade associations, and industry professionals to gain a greater understanding of market/industry opportunities and market trends and conditions to create effective ways of targeting and streamlining the implementation of the MMCAP program. • Staying current with all aspects of pharmaceutical products, healthcare products, and services in general, in particular those that pertain to MMCAP and its members, including procurement strategy; compliance; supply chain; distribution rules and requirements; regulatory and legal issues; payment options; and risks. • Using tools provided by MMCAP, including data analytics and customer success management systems/platforms, to improve efficiencies and member experience. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of healthcare experience in one of the following areas: the healthcare industry, pharmaceutical sales, healthcare products and services sales, state government procurement involving vendor management and member outreach, or the functional equivalent of one of these roles. The candidate should also have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a full criminal background check. Some desired skills and abilities include: • A credible pharmacy lexicon and industry background coupled with a solid understanding of and demonstrated abilities in the price, placement, and promotion of pharmacy and healthcare products and services to effectively implement programs, manage regional accounts, develop new business opportunities, and achieve member compliance within a complex GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) marketplace. • General business administration knowledge and understanding of pharmacy and healthcare products and services procurement practices and use are essential so member needs can be properly assessed and resolved. • A comprehensive understanding of all aspects of major GPO plans throughout the country and within the region including distribution, rebate issues, specialty programs, and the mechanics of pharmacy transactions, pricing, promotional patterns, and new product development. • Effective organizational skills and self-motivation to drive sales within a defined region. • Experience managing program budgets, developing sales strategy, negotiating issues, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and executing multiple projects simultaneously. • Comprehensive technical knowledge of the pharmacy industry. • Knowledge of medical supplies and other healthcare products and services business lines. • Established contacts with trade associations, stakeholders, and brokers within the region proposed to cover. • Demonstrated abilities in resolution of pharmaceutical procurement issues; knowledge of reliable data sources; and the ability to accurately gather and interpret member regional data so that market trends, customer needs, and new member opportunities can be accurately identified and addressed. • Excellent verbal and written skills. • Experience in meeting facilitation, public presentations, and working with diverse stakeholders, including member pharmacists, member leadership, and clinicians. • Strong interpersonal skills including effective listening, proactive diplomacy, observing proper protocol and building productive relationships. • Demonstrated familiarity with business software applications, personal computers, and mobile communication devices. • Knowledge of reliable data sources and the ability to accurately gather and interpret member regional data so that market and new member opportunities can be accurately identified, reviewed and assessed. Some key points to consider when submitting a proposal include: • Proposals must be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal. • Late responses will not be considered. • The State reserves the right to reject any and all responses received, waive or modify any informalities, irregularities, or inconsistencies in the responses received, negotiate with the highest scoring Responder, terminate negotiations and select the next response providing the best value for the State, consider documented past performance resulting from a State contract, short list the highest scoring Responders, require Responders to conduct presentations, demonstrations, or submit samples, interview key personnel or references, request a best and final offer from one or more Responders, and use estimated usage or scenarios for the purpose of conducting pricing evaluations. • The State allows joint ventures among groups of responders when responding to the solicitation. • Responders must not submit as part of their response trade secret material, as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37. • Unless otherwise approved in writing by the State, Responder's cost proposal and all terms offered in its response that pertain to the completion of professional and technical services and general services will remain firm for 180 days, until they are accepted or rejected by the State, or they are changed by further negotiations with the State prior to contract execution.