Customer Service Associate
Manitowoc, WI, US, 54220
At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people’s lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together – valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there’s a seat at the table for you.
Lakeside Foods is seeking a Customer Service Associate I to support Retail, Foodservice, Export, and Bulk customers by managing product orders and fulfillment activities. This role provides entry‑level customer account support while working closely with Sales, Logistics, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely service.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive pay based on experience
- Affordable, market‑leading medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid vacation and personal time
- Paid training and development opportunities
- A collaborative, professional corporate office environment
- Long‑term growth opportunities with a stable, family‑owned company
What You’ll Do
Order Management
- Enter manual and electronic customer orders, cancellations, and changes with a high level of accuracy
- Support entry‑level customer accounts while meeting customer requirements and service expectations
- Review order accuracy, including pricing, quantities, and shipment status, and communicate issues for correction
- Prepare and maintain electronic customer files and master customer data
- Monitor reports related to past‑due orders, fill rates, and on‑time shipping and communicate updates to customers and Sales
Customer Communication & Support
- Manage assigned customer accounts through proactive phone and email communication
- Respond to customer inquiries regarding pricing, shipping dates, and delivery delays
- Serve as a communication link between customers and internal teams with support from leadership
Logistics & Cross‑Functional Coordination
- Coordinate with warehouses and logistics teams to ensure customer shipping instructions are met
- Manage shipments through transportation systems as required
- Partner with Accounts Receivable to resolve credit limit and new customer setup issues
- Collaborate with production, inventory, and other internal teams to support order fulfillment
- Support projects and additional tasks as assigned by the Customer Service Manager
What You’ll Bring
Education & Experience
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate degree in a related field and/or prior Customer Service experience preferred
- Prior experience using SAP in a Customer Service role is a plus
Skills & Abilities
- Clear, concise, and professional communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to proof work accurately
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
- Problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills with leadership support
- Positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills for working with customers and internal teams
- Ability to understand and process information from multiple sources
Why Lakeside Foods
Founded in 1887, Lakeside Foods is a family‑owned company with a long history of quality, integrity, and customer partnership. We invest in our people and provide opportunities to grow while making a meaningful impact across our business.
Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities
Nearest Major Market: Green Bay
Nearest Secondary Market: Appleton