Customer Service Associate

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