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 Company plays a crucial role in managing the customer order process for retailers from the moment a purchase order is received until the product is delivered. This position involves extensive communication with retailers, primarily through email, and often includes interactions with brokers or regional managers rather than direct customer contact. The specialist is responsible for verifying prices, notifying customers of any delays or shortages, and collaborating with customers to adjust delivery schedules based on product availability. Additionally, the role includes handling return authorizations and working closely with the transportation team to resolve delivery issues, as well as liaising with regional managers, brokers, and customers as necessary. In this position, the specialist will also coordinate with operations, planning, and logistics to ensure that the correct products are produced and stored appropriately for distribution. This involves reviewing inventory levels, addressing shortages, and managing shipping issues, as well as participating in production meetings. Candidates for this role should possess a working knowledge of manufacturing facilities and logistics, along with strong customer service skills. Daily responsibilities require effective cross-functional communication across multiple departments, necessitating the ability to articulate functions beyond typical customer service duties. 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 to keep customers supplied and shelves stocked. They provide actionable insights to manage shared business effectively and oversee customer order processing, all while striving 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.
• Receive and process point-of-purchase and customer product sample requests.
• Provide support across departments as needed, being cross-trained in various functions.

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 with 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, including New York State paid sick time.
• 401(k) retirement benefits with a 4% company match.
• Tuition assistance and access to an online learning system.
• On-the-job training programs.
• Opportunities to volunteer and support the local community.
• Generous maternity/paternity benefits and the option to take a child's first birthday off.
• Birthday off each year and a baby food coupon program until the child's second birthday.
• Service awards and access to on-site amenities such as a fitness center, cafeteria, and company store.