Buyer/Customer Service Rep

Vallen•Uniondale, NY

9d•$27 - $29•Hybrid

About The Position

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing products, goods, and materials—stock, non-stock, or spot-buy—to meet the organization’s standards for price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply. The role provides customer service and supports current and anticipated customer demand in alignment with Vallen’s purchasing strategies. The position is based in Uniondale, New York, and offers a hybrid work environment. It works collaboratively with customers, suppliers, and internal teams, maintains professional worksite standards, and follows Vallen and customer procedures and LEAN operating practices.

Requirements

Excellent customer service skills.
Computer skills and aptitude to learn Enterprise Resource Planning and inventory management applications.
Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and execution skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Business or Finance.
At least one year of experience in procurement.

Responsibilities

Perform procurement activities to meet current and anticipated customer demand for products and materials in alignment with Vallen’s purchasing strategies.
Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by inventory management or other Enterprise Resource Planning applications.
Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by inventory management or other Enterprise Resource Planning applications.
Assess existing orders and determine whether to expedite or de-expedite them to optimize delivery.
Place purchase requisitions and vendor purchase orders.
Research and assess vendors and requested items, and recommend options that comply with specifications and customer quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
Monitor the quality and timeliness of supplied products and materials; coordinate returns of damaged goods and replacement items when needed.
Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory and coordinate other liquidation activities as required.
Follow up with vendors on purchase-order status to support timely delivery and communicate order status to customers.
Communicate with vendors to resolve product-quality and delivery-timeliness problems.
Maintain and cultivate relationships with suppliers, vendors, and assigned customers.
Research and resolve accounts payable nonconformance issues with suppliers.
Identify opportunities for customer cost savings and document them.
Produce customer KPI measurement data.
Follow Vallen and customer Standard Operating Procedures.
Adhere to LEAN operating practices and keep the worksite professional, clean, and neat.
Perform other duties as assigned.