Vendor Returns Specialist

There’s a Place for You at Capital

A career at Capital Electric is more than a job. You’re investing in a brighter, more sustainable future together and joining a team that makes a real difference for our customers. Capital Electric offers electrical products and services to contractors. If it helps bring electricity to an office, home, factory or other building – you can find it here. We operate in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and are part of the Sonepar group, the world’s #1 electrical distributor with over 45,000 associates around the globe.

Being “Powered by Difference” means we respect and value diverse perspectives. Within Capital Electric, we offer a supportive culture and great benefits, and as part of the larger Sonepar group, we can offer exciting opportunities to grow your career.

Position Summary

The Vendor Returns Specialist manages the end-to-end lifecycle of defective, overstocked, and incorrect electrical components returned to suppliers. This role blends operational execution, vendor coordination, and data analysis to protect inventory accuracy, maximize credit recovery, and ensure compliance with vendor return policies and internal controls.

This position owns the stock and defective returns process end-to-end and partners with Branch Operations, Distribution Centers, Product Management, Purchasing, Finance, and Inventory Quality to reduce reserves, improve working capital, and prevent future excess and obsolescence. The role also evaluates transportation spending, optimizes shipping and consolidation strategies, and collaborates with carriers and vendors to improve logistics efficiency and reduce costs.

Key Responsibilities

Returns Program Ownership & Execution

• Own and manage the stock and defective returns process, from identification through credit reconciliation.
• Create and maintain monthly return schedules by vendor based on agreed terms and conditions.
• Ensure return activity complies with company SOPs, vendor policies, and financial controls.
• Maintain accurate records of RMAs, shipments, credits, and final disposition outcomes.

Identification, Approval & Authorization

• Use system reports, data tools, and SOP criteria to identify items eligible for return, scrap, or credit.
• Submit return requests to Product Managers for review, validation, and approval.
• Coordinate with vendor contacts to obtain Return Material Authorizations (RMAs) and/or scrap-credit approvals.
• Monitor RMA status and drive timely issuance, communication, and processing.

RMA Distribution & Processing

• Enter approved RMAs into the ERP system and distribute documentation to branches and distribution centers.
• Follow up with branch and DC teams to ensure RMAs are executed accurately and within required timelines.
• Partners with operations to ensure product movement, labeling, and packaging meet SOP and vendor requirements.

Exception Management & Recovery

• Resolve denied or restricted return requests by:
• Negotiating with vendors for returns or credits not initially authorized.
• Engaging Buyers, Pricing, and Purchasing leadership to support escalations and improve outcomes.
• Track non-returnable inventory balances and review options with management (e.g., sell-off strategies or write-off requests).
• Coordinate final disposition decisions with the Inventory Quality & Integrity Manager.

Financial Reconciliation & Reporting

• Reconcile vendor credits for returned or scrapped products to ensure accurate financial recovery.
• Partner with Finance to validate credits, resolve discrepancies, and maintain audit readiness.
• Track and report return volumes, recovery rates, cycle times, and reserve-reduction impact.

Logistics & Cost Optimization

• Analyze transportation expenses tied to returns and scrap activity.
• Optimize shipping routes and return consolidation to reduce freight cost.
• Collaborate with carriers and internal logistics partners to improve service levels and cost control.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Partner with Inventory Quality, Product Management, Purchasing, and Operations to identify root causes of returns and prevent recurrence.
• Recommend actions to reduce excess, defective, and non-returnable inventory.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve SOPs, vendor terms, and return execution.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Business, or a related field (preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in vendor returns, inventory control, supply chain, or distribution operations.
• Working knowledge of vendor return policies, RMAs, credits, and inventory disposition processes.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills; proficient with ERP systems and inventory reporting tools (e.g., Excel/BI reporting).
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively across multiple functions and locations.
• Excellent organization, follow-up, and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Location:

• Upper Marlboro, MD

Salary: $60,000 to $75,000

What We Offer You

We offer great family-friendly benefits to full-time associates:

We’re proud to be a military-friendly company, and our many employee resource groups (ERGs) help you make connections and feel supported.

Learn More About Us

Get to know us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and learn how we’re “Powering Progress for Future Generations.” LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capitalelectric/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapitalElecSply/

Learn more at https://www.capitalelectricsupply.com/about

Capital Electric is part of the Sonepar family of brands: https://www.soneparusa.com/us-en/about-us

Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

Sonepar and our family of brands are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please call 843-745-2420 or email recruiting@sonepar-us.com.

EEO is the Law

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination. To learn more, Click here.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision

Sonepar follows Executive Order 11246, including the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision. To learn more, Click here.