Trader

LMC Trader Position

LMC is a leading buying group for a network of independent family-owned building material companies across the US. As their buying group, LMC negotiates and facilitates procurement opportunities for the most desired brands in the lumber and building materials industry. We also work to provide operational support with focus on logistics, capital equipment, technology, and marketing. By leveraging the billion-dollar buying power of our members, LMC ensures our members have a competitive edge to capture more of their local market share.

The Trader is responsible for positioning LMC members to be the most competitive, service oriented and successful lumber dealers in their marketplaces. Positioning is accomplished through the Trader buying for, selling to and servicing the dealers relative to the products for which the Trader is responsible. Traders contribute to the accomplishment of Corporate Goals and Objectives and are assigned with the continual development of market understanding, and relationship building with both dealer and vendors.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides quotations to dealers and purchases product(s) at the best available prices in the marketplace, balancing the transactional and delivery timeframes required by the dealer.
• Acts as the main liaison on orders and coordinates all vendor contact, including quotation, purchase, shipment and claim mediation.
• Provides the dealer the highest level of support and customer service in a timely manner.
• Uses judgment to determine when to negotiate a sale, based on market conditions.
• Resolves claims handling for orders in which directly responsible, while striving to reach a fair and equitable resolution for all parties involved, keeping Manager and appropriate accounting staff appraised of sensitive problems.
• Provides current and complete information regarding prevailing market conditions, trends, prices and all other product related information to dealers.
• Requests rate quotes and coordinates delivery requirements with LMC Logistics Analysts.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with dealers and vendor contacts. Maintains regular contact with dealers and vendors. Visits dealer and vendor locations with senior team members or management.
• Promotes and implements purchasing programs designed to provide the best possible combination of price, quality and product availability for the lowest cost and greatest efficiency.
• With assistance from management, analyzes purchase data for assigned dealers and develops strategies for increasing purchases.
• Participates in LMC sponsored events, such as trade shows.
• With guidance from senior team members, participates in the execution and administration of speculative purchases, committed buys, contracts, consignments and other programs.
• Assists with providing services to dealers, such as marketing purchases of non-assigned products during peak business periods or during department staffing shortages.
• With guidance from senior team members and management, prepares market analysis and/or other reports as required.
• Maintains complete and accurate documentation for all quotations, orders, claims and any other significant dealer or vendor interaction.
• Informs Stockholders of new product developments.
• May identify opportunities for new products, supply sources or programs and refer them to management for further exploration.
• Keeps Stockholders informed about current marketing promotions available to the retailer, builder or Stockholder sales personnel.
• Keeps manager informed of the status of projects and purchasing/sales activities.
• Performs other duties as required and/or assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in forest products, business, supply chain, marketing, or other related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 0-2 years of previous experience in a business or customer service environment.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand customer needs and market trends.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products and ability to learn LMC systems (CRM, LumberTrack, Purchasing Workbench, etc.)
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to address customer issues.
• Ability to gain a solid understanding of assigned products and the supply chain associated with those products.
• Ability to complete required tasks with some regular supervision.
• Ability to travel to LMC events and/or member or supplier locations as needed.