Customer Account Specialist
Sargento

SUMMARY
Provide value-added support and analysis of assigned customers through application of industry understanding, supply chain knowledge, experience, and judgment. Facilitate cross-functional coordination and resolution of issues affecting Sargento's satisfaction of customer requirements. Apply extensive knowledge of customer account requirements and special situations and act as a collaborative liaison between Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Brokers, Production, and specific Customers with the goals of strengthening customer relationships and achieving key performance indicators and world class customer service. Perform all duties with courtesy and diplomacy, and strive to develop and maintain harmonious relationships with all internal and external customers.*Your Story.*

You will provide value-added support and analysis of assigned customers through application of industry understanding, supply chain knowledge, experience, and judgment. You will also apply extensive knowledge of customer account requirements and special situations and act as a collaborative liaison between Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Brokers, Production, and specific Customers with the goals of strengthening customer relationships and achieving key performance indicators and world class customer service. 

*Your Passion. Our Culture.*

At Sargento, you work for a company you believe in, with a family of people who believe in you.  Our culture stems from a simple premise: Hire good people and treat them like family.  At Sargento, you can make decisions based on how they affect people as well as the long-term health of our company.  You will be encouraged to make a meaningful difference in the community, in the company and in your career.  With diverse experiences and tools to learn and develop, you can transform your aspirations into reality.  If you're ready for the right place to belong and grow your career, you can find it here.

*What You Do.*



* Respond to daily inquiries from customers, distributors, brokers and end users regarding service, products, pricing, and account information. Response requires use of proper conduct and judgment to negotiate a win/win for both Sargento and the customer. Unresolved and/or conflicting issues are to be brought to the attention of the Customer Support Manager and Associate Customer Support Manager. 

* Coordinate and manage logistics and distribution tasks in support of new product launches, limited time offers (LTO's), promotions and/or product tests for assigned customers. Coordinate between customer and internal resources to ensure flawless execution.

* Initiate, assemble, track, and provide appropriate information useful to support work processes and document results to customer, Sargento Sales & Marketing, and Sargento Operations personnel.

* Identify and leverage customer level insights to drive value and provide recommendations for changing work processes and/or technology employed to yield the best possible results for customers and Sargento.

* Responsible for domestic account management including order receipt, review, editing, credit check, order status, coordinating ship dates and fulfillment. Access to customer portals as required to ensure order entry is consistent with customer requirements. Must communicate all order related issues to internal and external customers in a timely manner. Provide primary coverage to assigned customers and be prepared to provide back-up coverage to all other customers.

* Manage and address inquiries from Customers and Transportation concerning delivery discrepancies; overages, shortages, damage, and refusals, and complete all necessary steps for proper routing and processing of all required documentation pertinent to resolution of issue.

* Ensure customer expected price and promotional allowances agree with SMI established pricing contracts and pricing procedures and proactively seek information from appropriate sources to ensure prompt resolution and accurate invoicing.

* Coordinate product allocation and new product launches with internal departments and sales in accordance with established guidelines and when required to deviate from guidelines to avoid unnecessary supply chain disruption, provide situational recommendations based upon findings.

* Actively monitor product specification changes and notifies external customers of changes, service failures, product discontinuation, and holiday ordering schedule.

* Facilitate the communication of order changes to Production Scheduler, Demand Planning, Procurement, Transportation, Shipping and third party warehouse systems to assure effective and efficient delivery of product.

* Be proactive in problem solving, and maintain a very high level of accuracy as to not cause disruption of customer schedules, loss of product or causing outs at the restaurant or store level and avoid disruption to food ingredient customer manufacturing schedules. Initiate request for additions, deletions and changes to customer master information to provide accurate delivery and invoicing to the customer.

* Centrally maintains files, both electronically and hard copy as required to support on-going department operations and activities.

* Creates and maintains customer specific contact information in SAP.

* Actively participate on Customer Support Teams to enhance our understanding of customer expectations, near in promotions and customer's key measurements.

* Provide expertise and leadership to assure backup personnel are effectively trained to support the above work processes.

* Proactively support and/or recommend change consistent with corporate philosophies, strategies and objectives.


*Your Education and Experience.*



* High School or GED required. Associate's degree preferred.

* 2- 4 years experience in a professional office setting required. 6+ months experience in a customer service role that supported entry of purchase orders, price validation, product allocation, and resolution of customer issues is required.

* Proven computer skills in Word, Excel and basic data entry are required for this position. Experience in all other Microsoft Office products, along with SAP, Documentum and Outlook is preferred.


*Our Story.*

With over 2,400+ employees and net sales of nearly $1.8 billion, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years.  We created the world's first, successful pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses.  Sargento is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where we manufacture and market shredded, sliced and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients and sauces.  Sargento is known for the exceptional quality of our products and for product design, packaging and merchandising innovations that have transformed our industry.

To learn more about our culture and values, please visit our website at https://careers.sargento.com/us/en.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities