Customer Operations Specialist

$52,000 - $67,000/Yr

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company - Amsterdam, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

Amsterdam, NY

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Customer Operations Specialist at Beech-Nut Nutrition is a pivotal role responsible for managing the customer order process from the moment a purchase order is received until the product is delivered to the retailer. This position requires effective communication with retailers, primarily through email, and often involves liaising with brokers or regional managers rather than direct customer contact. The specialist will handle various tasks including price verification, notifying customers of any delays or shortages, and coordinating with customers to adjust delivery schedules based on product availability. Additionally, the role involves processing return authorizations and collaborating with the transportation team to resolve delivery issues, as well as working closely with regional managers, brokers, and customers as necessary. In this role, the Customer Operations Specialist will also collaborate with operations, planning, and logistics teams to ensure that the correct products are produced and stored appropriately for distribution. This includes monitoring inventory levels, addressing shortages, and resolving shipping issues. The position requires daily cross-functional communication across multiple departments, necessitating a clear understanding of functions beyond typical customer service responsibilities. Candidates should possess a working knowledge of manufacturing facilities and logistics, along with strong customer service skills. The Sales Team, which the Customer Operations Specialist is a part of, is a dynamic group focused on both internal and external sales strategies. This team is dedicated to building strong relationships with key customers, ensuring that forecasts and sales plans are up-to-date, and managing customer order processing effectively. The team strives to understand customer needs to deliver high-quality, safe, and nutritious foods for babies and toddlers.

Responsibilities

• Manage orders received via EDI, e-mail, and fax, entering them into the internal SAP system and overseeing invoicing and delivery.
• Address customer complaints, questions, and requests related to delivery and availability.
• Collaborate with other departments and external partners to resolve pricing, delivery, shortage, and carrier issues.
• Act as a key liaison between operations, sales department, brokers, logistics, and customers.
• Work with Finance to enter and maintain customer pricing according to agreements.
• Assist Accounts Receivables in resolving open credit, invoice, and deduction issues.
• Process point-of-purchase and customer product sample requests.
• Provide support across departments as needed through cross-training.

Requirements

• Associates degree in a related field (Business, Operations/Logistics, Math/Statistics) with 2+ years of related experience, or 5+ years of related experience without a degree.
• Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) preferred.
• Above average skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience using ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong analytical skills to draw conclusions from large data sets.
• Ability to learn quickly and commit information to memory.
• Experience in planning and organizing activities effectively.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage for employees and dependents.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• New York State paid sick time.
• 401(k) retirement benefits with a 4% company match.
• Tuition assistance for professional development.
• Access to an online learning system and robust on-the-job training programs.
• Opportunities to volunteer and support the local community.
• Generous maternity/paternity benefits and the option to take your child's first birthday off.
• Birthday off each year and baby food coupon program until the child's second birthday.
• On-site fitness center, cafeteria, and company store.