Dental Lab Vendor Specialist

Star Dental Partners is currently seeking a Dental Lab Vendor Specialist to join our high-growth and fast-paced dental services organization (DSO). The Dental Lab Vendor Specialist will play a central role in building and managing SDP's dental laboratory management system (LMS) and preferred lab program. SDP is implementing a network of preferred lab partners across crown and bridge, implants, removable prosthetics, occlusal appliances, and specialty categories. This role will protect and grow the savings generated from that initiative by managing lab partner relationships, driving doctor compliance with the lab formulary, supporting the LMS implementation and ongoing management, and serving as the internal subject matter expert for all things dental lab. This is a high-visibility role with direct impact on clinical quality, cost savings, and operational performance across the Star Dental Partners network. Benefits Competitive annual salary Paid Basic Employee Life & AD&D insurance Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees and their household Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (BCBS) Paid Time Off (PTO) as well as Company Holidays, Bereavement, and Jury Duty Voluntary Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity plans with wellness incentives Pet Insurance 401k (Pre-tax & Roth employee participation) Key Responsibilities Lab Partner Management Take an active role in maintaining strong partnerships with SDP's preferred dental lab network, ensuring optimal pricing, exceptional service quality, and adherence to performance standards. Lead regular business reviews with preferred lab partners to evaluate and optimize quality, turnaround times, and billing accuracy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Hold lab partners accountable for meeting established key performance indicators, including on-time delivery and first-time quality, ensuring high operational standards across the network. Collaborate with the Procurement team to evaluate and negotiate contracts with new and existing lab partners, driving cost efficiencies and service excellence. Lab Management System (LMS) Implementation & Support Support the implementation and rollout of SDP's company-wide lab management system, ensuring seamless adoption across all offices. Serve as a day-to-day administrator of the LMS, maintaining data integrity, pricing accuracy, and system performance post-rollout. Identify opportunities to streamline lab ordering workflows and improve the user experience for offices and clinicians. Troubleshoot LMS issues and serve as the primary internal contact for system-related questions. Lab Formulary & Associate Doctor Compliance Support the rollout of SDP's lab formulary, driving adoption of preferred lab partners across the network. Monitor Associate Doctor ordering patterns to ensure compliance with preferred lab assignments. Partner with Operations and Clinical Leadership to help offices overcome barriers to using preferred labs, ensuring seamless transitions and consistent service experiences. Address non-compliant ordering trends through education, communication, and escalation as appropriate. Serve as the primary point of contact for doctors and office teams on lab selection, utilization, and issue resolution. Operational Support & Issue Resolution Serve as a resource for supported doctors and teams, addressing lab-related concerns, troubleshooting issues, and providing guidance on lab selection and case management. Help resolve issues between labs and offices, ensuring timely and satisfactory resolution for all parties. Escalate unresolved performance or quality issues with lab partners and manage corrective action plans. Data Analysis & Process Improvement Analyze lab usage trends, pricing structures, and service levels to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. Generate regular reporting on lab spend, compliance rates, turnaround times, and remake rates for procurement leadership. Stay current with industry advancements in dental lab technology and materials to ensure SDP remains competitive in lab service offerings. Communication, Training & Process Documentation Educate doctors and team members on lab offerings, pricing structures, quality expectations, and the benefits of preferred lab partnerships. Create and maintain training documents and standard operating procedures for lab-related processes. Collaborate with Procurement, Operations, and Clinical Leadership to align lab initiatives with broader organizational goals. Cross-Functional Support Cross-train in other procurement functions to provide coverage and support as needed. Support other projects as assigned by procurement leadership. Education & Experience 5 or more years of experience in the dental lab industry with comprehensive knowledge across Crown & Bridge, Implants, Removable, and Specialty categories. DSO or dental group experience is strongly preferred. Skills & Competencies Strong knowledge of dental lab operations including digital scanning, materials, workflows, and industry trends. Excellent communication and relationship management skills with the ability to engage effectively with doctors, lab partners, and internal teams. Customer service and sales acumen with the ability to influence and promote preferred lab partnerships. Supplier management experience with the ability to evaluate, measure, and drive performance improvements among lab partners. Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess data, identify trends, and develop strategic recommendations. Project management experience including the deployment of new systems or operational enhancements. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other data management tools for reporting and analysis. #J-18808-Ljbffr Star Dental Partners