Return to Vendor Specialist

Return To Vendor Specialist

Company Overview: Mead Lumber Company is a leading provider of products for professional contractors, builders, and remodelers. With 50+ operating locations across nine Midwestern states, we are proud to be 100% employee-owned and ranked as the 12th largest building material supplier to professional builders in the U.S. At Mead Lumber, we strive to create a team that works and succeeds together every day in an authentic, team-oriented setting.

Job Summary: The Return to Vendor Specialist manages the return-to-vendor process for damaged, defective, incorrect, excess, and otherwise eligible merchandise. This position inspects products, determines appropriate disposition, obtains and tracks vendor return authorizations, prepares required documentation, coordinates product movement and shipment, monitors vendor credits and claims, and maintains accurate inventory and return records. The role works closely with purchasing, sales, yard, warehouse, delivery, accounts payable, vendors, and management to resolve product issues, protect inventory accuracy, recover vendor credits, and support efficient store operations.

Pay for this Role: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage return-to-vendor activity from identification through final disposition, including damaged, defective, incorrect, excess, special-order, and other eligible merchandise.
• Obtain and track vendor return authorizations, return instructions, claim numbers, freight arrangements, and other required approvals or documentation.
• Inspect lumber, building materials, hardware, tools, and related products for condition, completeness, damage, defects, contamination, and return eligibility.
• Maintain accurate records of vendor return, return authorizations, claims, credits, inventory adjustments, damaged merchandise, freight issues, and product disposition.
• Maintain clean, organized, and secure vendor-return and damaged-product areas with merchandise clearly identified and separated by disposition status.

Qualifications and Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Previous experience in customer service, retail, receiving, purchasing, warehouse, yard, construction supply, or lumber and building materials preferred.
• Experience using point-of-sale, order-entry, purchasing, receiving, or inventory management systems preferred.
• Forklift certification required; must maintain certification and authorization in accordance with company policy.
• Working knowledge of lumber, building materials, hardware, construction products, units of measure, and product condition standards is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and recordkeeping skills.
• Excellent communication, follow-up, judgment, customer service, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and request assistance or use material-handling equipment for heavier or awkward items.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, climb, push, pull, and perform repetitive handling throughout the workday.

Once eligible, you will participate in our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), a unique benefit that can provide a financial source for your future/retirement that very few companies offer. We also offer our employees competitive pay as well as the benefits listed below:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Group Term Life, AD&D, and STD
• Additional Voluntary Life, AD&D, and LTD
• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Plan
• Scholarship & Tuition Assistance Programs
• Employee Assistance Program

Equal Employment Opportunity: Mead Lumber Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, pregnancy, marital status, veteran's status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, or any other protected basis prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.