Commodity Forest Products Trader (Inside Sales)

About Us: LBM Advantage is one of the nation's largest buying cooperatives in the lumber and building materials industry. Our mission is to create a competitive advantage for our members by leveraging their collective power. Headquartered in New Windsor, NY, we have regional offices in Grand Rapids, MI; Smithfield, NC; and Conroe, TX, which give us the regional expertise to serve our members in their local marketplaces.

Summary: The Forest Products Trader is responsible for developing and managing relationships with LBM Advantage members and suppliers while driving sales growth within the Forest Products division. This role serves as a trusted advisor to members by providing product expertise, market intelligence, sourcing solutions, and exceptional service. The Trader manages the full sales cycle, from identifying opportunities through order fulfillment, while helping members maximize value through LBM Advantage programs and supplier partnerships.

Essential Functions:

• Manage an assigned portfolio of member accounts and serve as the primary point of contact for purchasing and product needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with members, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Promote LBM Advantage programs, suppliers, and services to increase member engagement and participation.
• Provide outstanding service and support to foster long-term member loyalty and satisfaction.
• Identify, develop, and close sales opportunities with existing members.
• Increase sales volume, product penetration, and profitability within assigned accounts.
• Collaborate with Member Development and other internal teams to expand business opportunities.
• Develop value-based solutions that meet member needs and support business growth objectives.
• Source products from approved suppliers to provide members with the best overall value.
• Maintain knowledge of market conditions, pricing trends, supply dynamics, and industry developments.
• Communicate market intelligence and product opportunities to members, helping them make informed purchasing decisions.
• Support the development of new product, supplier, and program opportunities.
• Manage the complete order process, including quotations, purchase orders, confirmations, shipment coordination, and follow-up activities.
• Resolve issues related to orders, deliveries, claims, shortages, and billing discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication between members, suppliers, logistics providers, and internal teams.
• Maintain detailed and accurate account, order, and sales records.
• Participate in member visits, supplier meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
• Contribute market updates and content for company communications and member-facing publications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in lumber, building materials, construction, wholesale distribution, or commodity markets.
• Three or more years of experience in sales, account management, purchasing, trading, or customer relationship management.
• Established relationships with mills
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with quoting, purchasing, estimating, or inventory management functions.