Vendor Relations Representative

Job Title: Vendor Relations Representative

Monthly Pay: $4,161 - $5,758 USD per month

Summary:

Working in a CRM such as Salesforce and a support platform such as Freshdesk, the Vendor Relations Representative communicates with suppliers and keeps purchasing requests moving. This role helps vendors receive clear answers while giving buyers dependable updates about availability, order acknowledgments, and outstanding questions. The position sits within the purchasing team, works under a purchasing team lead, and collaborates with buyers, vendors, and internal requesters. This fully remote position offers desk-based work from home in Connecticut, United States. The role requires a 40-hour weekly commitment. Working days and shift times may vary.

Job Responsibilities:

• Review incoming vendor emails and assigned requests in a support platform such as Freshdesk, identifying the supplier, purchasing reference, question, and next action.
• Confirm vendor contact details and purchasing references against existing information before responding, asking the vendor or assigned buyer to clarify missing details.
• Communicate approved purchasing information to vendors, including requested items, quantities, expected response dates, and the correct internal contact for specialized questions.
• Ask suppliers to confirm product availability, order acknowledgment, and expected delivery dates, then share their responses with buyers and internal requesters.
• Record vendor conversations, current contacts, commitments, and outstanding questions in a CRM such as Salesforce so colleagues can understand the latest position.
• Maintain an open-request tracker using a spreadsheets and data entry tool such as Google Sheets, showing owners, response dates, and unresolved vendor questions.
• Follow up with vendors when agreed response dates pass, communicating revised expectations to the buyer without making purchasing commitments beyond approved guidance.
• Escalate unavailable items, conflicting order details, repeated delays, or unresolved concerns to the assigned buyer or purchasing team lead with concise supporting notes.
• Confirm that vendor questions have been answered, notify the requester of the outcome, and close completed requests with a clear summary of actions.
• Meet quality expectations through accurate information, timely responses, complete notes, appropriate escalation, and consistent follow-up; review feedback with the purchasing team lead.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• No experience required; related experience communicating with vendors, supporting purchasing activities, or handling business inquiries is preferred.
• Basic understanding of purchasing terminology, supplier contacts, order acknowledgments, product availability, and the difference between requesting information and authorizing purchases.
• Willingness to learn the named systems, navigate assigned requests, update contact details, and maintain clear spreadsheets using established instructions.
• Clear written and verbal communication for answering vendor questions, requesting missing information, and explaining next steps without making unsupported promises.
• Ability to compare reference numbers, quantities, and dates carefully, recognize discrepancies, and ask for guidance when information does not match.
• A reliable computer, high-speed internet, and a quiet private workspace suitable for handling vendor communications and participating in remote team discussions.
• Availability for the 40-hour weekly commitment and agreed working days and shift times, with dependable attendance and timely handoffs of unresolved requests.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Perks & Benefits:

• Fully remote work from home in a desk-based purchasing support role.
• Structured onboarding and training on Salesforce, Freshdesk, and Google Sheets, including guided practice with typical vendor inquiries and request updates.
• Regular check-ins with the purchasing team lead to review questions, clarify priorities, and receive practical feedback on vendor communications.
• Build skills in vendor relations, purchasing terminology, supplier follow-up, accurate request tracking, and professional communication with internal and external contacts.
• Health coverage, paid leave, maternity leave, bonus opportunities, and stipends.