Vendor Relations Specialist

LNCsearch; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

LNCsearch in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Vendor Relations Specialist to coordinate vendor interactions, assess product quality, and resolve receiving issues. You will work cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, Warehouse, and external partners to maintain quality and accountability.

This on-site role reports to the VP of Procurement and focuses on optimizing freight coordination, supplier returns, and process improvements through defined procedures.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, logistics, or vendor management.
• Experience evaluating incoming products and documenting quality or delivery issues.
• Experience coordinating freight, carriers, and resolving transportation issues.
• Experience creating and maintaining standard operating procedures.
• Familiarity with ERP systems; NetSuite is a plus.
• Strong Excel skills and analytical abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee vendor interactions, facility visits, quality assessments, and operational reviews.
• Evaluate incoming materials and products for quality, accuracy, and compliance with established standards.
• Identify, document, and communicate product discrepancies, damages, shortages, and other receiving-related issues.
• Coordinate freight and transportation activities, including carrier relationships, scheduling, service performance, and cost management.
• Manage freight-related claims and vendor recovery processes, ensuring proper documentation, follow-through, and resolution.
• Partner with internal teams to address receiving discrepancies, product concerns, and supplier-related issues.
• Coordinate supplier returns, corrective actions, and other vendor resolution processes.
• Review inventory discrepancies and adjustments to identify opportunities for vendor recovery and process improvements.
• Support the development, documentation, and implementation of operational procedures and best practices.

Skills

Procurement experience

Vendor management

Logistics coordination

ERP systems (NetSuite)

Advanced MS Excel

Supply chain analysis

Documentation & SOPs

Tools

ERP systems (NetSuite)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Vendor Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting and managing key vendor, product quality, and transportation activities within a manufacturing or distribution environment. This role serves as a primary point of contact for supplier and carrier coordination, incoming product quality, issue resolution, and process improvement.

Working cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, Warehouse, and external partners, this individual will help ensure product quality, maintain vendor accountability, manage transportation-related issues, and support efficient supply chain operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee vendor interactions, facility visits, quality assessments, and operational reviews.
• Evaluate incoming materials and products for quality, accuracy, and compliance with established standards.
• Identify, document, and communicate product discrepancies, damages, shortages, and other receiving-related issues.
• Coordinate freight and transportation activities, including carrier relationships, scheduling, service performance, and cost management.
• Manage freight-related claims and vendor recovery processes, ensuring proper documentation, follow-through, and resolution.
• Partner with internal teams to address receiving discrepancies, product concerns, and supplier-related issues.
• Coordinate supplier returns, corrective actions, and other vendor resolution processes.
• Review inventory discrepancies and adjustments to identify opportunities for vendor recovery and process improvements.
• Support the development, documentation, and implementation of operational procedures and best practices.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, logistics, or vendor management, preferably within a manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Experience evaluating incoming products, identifying discrepancies, and documenting quality or delivery-related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage transportation providers, resolve freight issues, and coordinate claims.
• Experience developing, documenting, implementing, or maintaining standard operating procedures.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and procurement-related processes; NetSuite experience is a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain detailed documentation and manage professional vendor correspondence.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, 5S, Just-in-Time, or similar practices.
• Experience with international logistics, imported products, customs documentation, and freight forwarder coordination.
• Experience in building materials, construction products, manufacturing, or related industries.

This is an on-site position based at the company's facility in Tucson, Arizona. The role reports to the VP of Procurement and works closely with internal operational teams, warehouse personnel, suppliers, and transportation partners.

As part of a collaborative procurement team, this individual will have significant responsibility for managing supplier relationships, coordinating logistics-related activities, resolving operational issues, and driving accountability across key supply chain functions.