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Vendor Data Specialist

Medline · Northfield, IL · $23.25–$33.75 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a small data error you caught had real financial impact.

What they are checking: Whether they understand that item and cost data errors can cost real money and damage relationships.

Tell me about a judgment call you made when the rules didn't clearly cover the situation.

What they are checking: Whether they can use discretion responsibly and document their reasoning.

Tell me about a time you had to explain a data problem to someone in sales or another department.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain how a data error affects customers in terms others understand.

What would you do

The daily discrepancy report shows a vendor's cost doesn't match what's in our system. How do you resolve it?

What they are checking: Whether they check the agreement and effective dates and talk to the vendor before changing anything.

A vendor won't agree to accept a surplus return without a big restocking fee. How do you negotiate?

What they are checking: Whether they can use the distribution agreement and relationship to reduce losses without damaging the partnership.

A vendor isn't following the distribution agreement on price change notice. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they handle the immediate issue and recommend changes to Vendor Relations to prevent repeats.

About the work

Walk me through what you'd check when creating a new item in the system.

What they are checking: Whether they are thorough about units of measure, cost, vendor numbers and other fields that cause errors downstream.

Two vendors merge and their item files need to be combined. How would you approach it?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan a careful data merge that avoids duplicates and pricing gaps.

How do you stay accurate when you're processing a high volume of item changes?

What they are checking: Whether they have habits like double-checking and spot-auditing that keep error rates low.

What Excel skills do you use most when analyzing vendor data?

What they are checking: Whether they can compare large datasets with lookups and pivots instead of checking line by line.

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The full job description

As published by Medline.

Job Summary Ensure vendor data and Medline data are in sync by overseeing and analyzing dozens of different data points/reports. Routinely involves judgement calls, exercising discretion, and problem-solving skills that stem from vendor and customer-identified discrepancies. Requires a thorough understanding of several areas of the business that consistently leads to making decisions that have material financial implications. Job Description MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: • Execute item creation(s), subsequent maintenance, discontinuation(s), and reactivation(s). Coordinate vendor mergers, analysis of daily discrepancy report(s), and investigate vendor files/communications for needed changes. • Oversee acquisition and base cost pricing with a high attention to detail. Reconcile discrepancies that can hinder both vendor and customer relationships if not reconciled timely and/or communicated appropriately. Evaluate vendor adherence to distribution agreement(s), facilitate effective date negotiations when situations occur that may not be explicitly covered, and make formal recommendations to Vendor Relations on changes needed to avoid in the future. • Analyze divisional reports and system data to identify product surplus. Obtain authorization from vendor(s) to return and exercise judgment in handling restocking fee negotiations to minimize divisional losses. • Review portfolio analytics to submit process improvement recommendations to management for business impact. • Maintain shared mailboxes and respond to requests in a timely manner. • Submit assigned files and/or projects to management, vendor(s) and/or internal team(s) within provided timelines. • Establish and maintain a close working relationship with the following groups: Vendor Relations, Vendor Representatives, Quality, Finance [A/P], Chargebacks, Contracts, Inventory Management and other appropriate personnel. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS: Education: • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field Certification / Licensure: • None Work Experience: • Experience working in a fast-paced environment, analyzing large data sets, and adhering to competing deadlines without compromising accuracy/quality. Provide customer service to internal and external requestors and manage workloads that necessitate portfolio-specific analytics to occur for departmental success and process improvement(s). Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: • Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Excel (i.e. VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, IF Statements, SUM function and sort/filter). • Basic skill level in Microsoft Word (i.e. formatting, inserting headers, outlines/bullets, page breaks, pictures and charts). • Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Outlook (i.e. creating folders, categories, utilizing calendar, and coordinating meetings). PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS: Education: • Bachelor’s degree. Certification / Licensure: • None Work Experience: • None Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: • Advanced time management skills to ensure daily work, discrepancies and/or projects are accomplished within given SLA’s. • Experience building and maintaining relationships within and between teams/vendors. • Advanced skill level in Microsoft Excel (i.e. macros and advanced formulas). • Exposure/experience with SAP and/or Zendesk Medline Industries, LP, and its subsidiaries, offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization. The anticipated salary range for this position: $23.25 - $33.75 Hourly The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s location, education, experience, skills, and abilities. Medline will not pay less than the applicable minimum wage or salary threshold. Our benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average. For roles where employees work less than 30 hours per week, benefits include 401(k) contributions, paid time off, as well as access to the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and the Employee Service Corp. For a more comprehensive list of our benefits please click here . We’re dedicated to creating a Medline where everyone feels they belong and can grow their career. We strive to do this by seeking diversity in all forms, acting inclusively, and ensuring that people have tools and resources to perform at their best. Explore our Belonging page here . Medline Industries, LP is an equal opportunity employer. Medline evaluates qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, neurodivergence, protected veteran status, marital or family status, caregiver responsibilities, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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