Vendor Management Specialist

This mid-size manufacturing firm in South Seattle, WA is seeking three Vendor Management Specialists for a 6-month temp-to-hire opportunity.

About the role

In this role, you manage a shared email inbox, support 25–50 vendors, and ensure customer orders align with production capabilities and delivery requirements. You serve as a key liaison between customers, vendors, and production, providing timely updates, resolving issues, and helping maintain smooth order flow within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a shared email inbox daily and respond to customer and vendor inquiries within established time frames.
• Support and maintain relationships with 25–50 vendors, ensuring clear communication and timely follow-up.
• Review the MRP system to confirm customer order due dates align with required delivery dates.
• Verify customer purchase orders against internal work orders to ensure the company can meet process requirements and that all necessary processes are correctly communicated.
• Provide continuous updates to customers on the status of their orders within a four-hour response window.
• Communicate with customers to obtain any additional blueprints, drawings, or documentation needed for order processing.
• Coordinate with production teams to obtain estimated completion dates (ECDs) for orders and communicate these dates to customers and vendors as needed.
• Prepare orders for shipment or transfer to other internal areas as required.
• Develop daily reports on order status and share updates with production and other internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with managers and production staff on the manufacturing floor to resolve order issues and keep work flowing smoothly.
• Maintain accurate data entry in the MRP system and any related ticketing or tracking systems.
• Follow established operational and administrative procedures to support efficient order management and vendor relations.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Demonstrated customer service experience, preferably in a manufacturing or operations environment.
• Experience with vendor management, including supporting multiple vendors simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Experience working with MRP or similar systems to review and track orders.
• Strong data entry skills with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a high-volume email inbox and ticketing system.
• Comfort working in an operations or administrative support capacity within a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Skills

• Experience in a manufacturing process environment, especially involving coordination between office and production floor.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with customers, vendors, and production staff.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple orders, vendors, and deadlines at the same time.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify issues and escalate or resolve them promptly.

Work Environment

This position is based in a mid-size manufacturing facility in South Seattle, WA. The role follows one of two shifts: 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., providing structured daytime hours. You work primarily in an office setting with regular interaction with the production floor, including walking down to the manufacturing area to speak with managers and production staff. The environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, with the firm experiencing significant expansion. Free parking is available on-site. You will use technologies such as an MRP system, Microsoft Office, email, and ticketing systems to manage orders, communicate with vendors and customers, and coordinate with production teams.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $30.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Schedule

• 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Fully onsite position in Seattle, WA.