Customer Operations Specialist

About the Role…

The Customer Operations Specialist is responsible for managing the Beech-Nut retailers customer order process from the time a purchase order is received until the time it is delivered. This position works with the retailers that we sell our products in. Contact with these retailers/customers is primarily done via email. The communication will often come from brokers or regional managers instead of direct from customer.  This position is responsible for price verification, notifying customers of delays/shortages, working with customers to modify delivery schedules based on product availability, return authorizations, working with the transportation team on delivery issues and working with region managers /brokers/customers as needed. 

In addition, this position will work closely with operations, planning, and logistics to ensure the correct product is being produced and is stored in the proper location for distribution.  This includes reviewing inventory levels, shortages, shipping issues as well as attending production meetings.  Candidates for this position are required to have at minimum working knowledge of manufacturing facilities and logistics in addition to strong customer service skills.   The normal functions for this position require daily cross functional communication across multiple departments.   Candidate must be able to communicate clearly about functions outside of normal customer service position.

About the Team…

The Sales Team is a dynamic group of thought leaders that focus on internal and external sales strategies. The team is responsible for building strong relationships with our key customers, ensuring forecasts and sales plans are reflective of the most up to date information to keep our customers supplied and shelves full, keeping our customers supplied with actionable insights to manage our shared business, and managing our customer order processing. The team works diligently to understand what our customers want and need so we can deliver high quality, safe, and nutritious foods for babies and toddlers!

About the Work Environment…

The position is located at the Amsterdam, N.Y. production facility. Our facility was just built in 2010 and is the world’s first LEED® certified baby food manufacturing facility.

Our Commitment to Safety…

At Beech-Nut we are committed to a strong safety program that protects its staff, its property, and the public from accidents. Associates at every level, including management, are responsible and accountable for the company’s overall safety initiatives. Complete and active participation by everyone, every day, in every job is necessary for the safety among all workers on the job site. Management supports participation in the program by all Associates and provides proper equipment, training and procedures. Associates are responsible for following all procedures, working safely, and, wherever possible, improving safety measures. An injury and accident-free workplace is our goal. Through continuous safety and loss control, we can accomplish th

What You’ll Do…

• Manage orders received via EDI, e-mail and fax.  The orders are entered into our internal SAP system and need to be managed through invoicing and delivery.  This will require some orders be manually entered from email/fax.
• Will be available to address customer complaints, questions and requests related to delivery, availability, etc.
• Will work closely with other departments and external partners to resolve any pricing, delivery, shortage/damages and carrier issues. 
• Key liaison between operations, sales department, brokers, logistics and the customers.
• Will work with Finance to help enter/maintain customer pricing per our agreements.
• Will work with Accounts Receivables to resolve open credit, invoice, and deduction issues. 
• Will receive and process point-of-purchase and customer product sample request.
• Will be cross-trained with other departments and will provide support as needed.

Who You Are…

• Deciding and Initiating Action: You are able to make timely decisions while weighing risks.  You act without being prompted and take responsibility for projects, people and mistakes.
• Analyzing: You are able to analyze all types of information using a wide range of sources.  You draw well-reasoned conclusions and pinpoint key information from large data sets.  You are able to identify themes and produce effective solutions.
• Learning and Researching: You rapidly learn new tasks and quickly commit information to memory. You ask key questions and use all relevant information to make decisions.   You use mistakes as a learning opportunity and encourages others to learn from one another.
• Planning and Organizing: You are able to set clearly defined objectives, establish priorities, plan activities and project and manage time effectively.  You monitor progress against deadlines and milestones.

What You’ll Need…

• Associates degree in related field (Business, Operations/Logistics, Math/Statistics) with 2 + years’ related experience or;
• 5 + year’s related experience
• CPG experience preferred
• Above average skills in Microsoft Office required. Emphasis on Excel

Preferred Systems: