Vendor Relations Specialist

About the Role

ULE Group is seeking a motivated Vendor Relations/Pricing Analyst to support vendor relationships, sourcing, and pricing initiatives. This role involves direct communication with vendors and manufacturers to manage relationships, negotiate terms, evaluate incentive programs, and maintain accurate vendor and pricing information. The position will analyze product costs, margins, manufacturer cost changes, and competitive pricing to identify opportunities for improved profitability and support informed purchasing and pricing decisions. Collaboration with Sales, Procurement, Finance, and other internal teams is essential to ensure vendor agreements, product costs, and pricing strategies remain competitive, accurate, and aligned with ULE Group’s business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Vendor Communication & Follow-Up: Assist with day-to-day communication with vendors and manufacturers.
• Purchasing Support: Assist with requesting pricing, availability, and product information.
• Vendor Negotiations & Terms: Support in obtaining pricing, payment terms, delivery expectations, and other commercial terms. Assist with documenting negotiated agreements and ensuring approved terms are accurately communicated and maintained.
• Vendor Rebates & Programs: Utilize the AD (Affiliated Distributors) platform to assist with reviewing vendor rebate terms, incentive programs, volume-based rebates, and promotional programs. Help document rebate structures, requirements, and agreed-upon terms, and support tracking to ensure applicable rebates are captured.
• Vendor Records & Documentation: Maintain organized vendor contact information, product information, agreements, and other vendor-related documentation. Assist with collecting information required for new vendor setup.
• Data & System Maintenance: Enter and update vendor and purchasing information within company ERP system (Epicor- Solar Eclipse). Help ensure records are accurate, complete, and current. Ensure accurate terms are entered into Epicor accurately and updated accordingly.
• Issue & Discrepancy Support: Help research basic discrepancies involving vendor pricing, quantities, deliveries, or order information and route more complex issues to the Director of Procurement.
• Cross-Department Coordination: Communicate with Sales, Project Management, Customer Service, Warehouse, Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Finance to help ensure vendor, purchasing, and pricing information is communicated accurately and efficiently.
• Pricing & Margin Support: Assist with reviewing product pricing to identify potential pricing discrepancies or opportunities.
• Pricing Data & System Accuracy: Monitor pricing for errors or inconsistencies and help ensure approved pricing and cost updates are accurately maintained within company systems.
• Pricing Reporting & Support: Assist with basic pricing and margin reporting and work with Sales, Procurement, and Vendor Relations to support pricing requests, vendor negotiations, and purchasing opportunities.
• Continuous Learning: Participate in training to learn company products, electrical distribution terminology, internal systems, purchasing procedures, and vendor management processes.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; some college coursework or an associate/bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field is a plus.
• Experience: Entry-level position. Previous customer service, retail, office, administrative, purchasing, or order-processing experience is helpful but not required.
• Computer Skills: Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and the willingness to learn ERP, purchasing, and inventory systems.
• Communication: Good written and verbal communication skills with a professional and service-oriented approach when working with vendors and internal teams.
• Core Competencies: Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Mindset: Willingness to learn, accept feedback, ask questions, and develop knowledge of procurement and the electrical distribution industry.

Preferred (Not Required)

• Software Exposure: Familiarity or exposure to ERP, inventory, purchasing, or CRM software is a plus; full training will be provided.
• Industry Awareness: Interest in electrical distribution, commercial construction, supply chain, procurement, inventory, or industrial markets.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on Training: Step-by-step guidance in vendor communication, purchasing support, purchase order tracking, documentation, and procurement operations.
• Skill Development: Practical experience in vendor relations, pricing and lead-time coordination, data accuracy, purchasing workflows, and cross-functional communication.
• Career Path: A foundation for advancement into roles such as Procurement Specialist, Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Vendor Relations Specialist, or other Supply Chain positions.