Lori Stoots
Kouts
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in customer service, sales, and administrative support. Expertise in coordinating service tasks, managing vendor relationships, and maintaining accurate records. Committed to driving efficiency and ensuring customer satisfaction through effective communication and organizational skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Service Writer
Castongia Tractor
Valparaiso
11.2025 - Current
- Communicated with customers to understand their service needs and concerns.
- Conferred with customers to understand service needs and write up accurate orders.
- Presented accurate estimates to inform customers of service charges and expectations.
- Communicated repair information to customers, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
- Managed service requests and scheduled appointments for equipment repairs.
- Coordinated with technicians to ensure timely completion of service tasks.
- Reviewed work orders with technicians, ensured accuracy of labor times and parts costs.
- Maintained accurate records of service history and customer interactions.
- Interfaced with technicians, parts department and managers to stay on top of availability and service procedures.
- Advised customers on preventative maintenance schedules for their vehicles based on manufacturer recommendations.
- Promoted add-on services, enhancing department revenue through increased average bill amounts.
- Created detailed invoices for each completed job, outlining labor charges, parts costs, taxes, and fees.
- Processed payments for completed services using cash register or point-of-sale systems.
- Maintained customer database with current contact information and vehicle records.
- Managed warranty claims for customer repairs and submitted required documentation to manufacturers.
- Presented existing and prospective customers with valuable service or product information to aid in decision-making.
- Improved product knowledge on continuous basis to provide optimal service and achieve sales quotas.
- Updated system with order specifics and customer details, preferences, and billing information.
Purchasing Manager
SMS Mill Services
Portage
09.2024 - 11.2025
- Negotiated pricing and terms with suppliers to optimize procurement costs.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure the best possible prices for goods and services.
- Evaluated supplier performance and maintained compliance with quality standards.
- Analyzed trends in supplier pricing to secure the best deals and maintain cost control.
- Developed and implemented strategic purchasing plans to meet company objectives.
- Analyzed market trends to determine appropriate purchasing strategies.
- Sourced new vendors for purchasing needs.
- Obtained quotes from various suppliers to determine most cost-effective purchasing options.
- Researched new sources for supplies, materials and services in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Assisted in resolving disputes with suppliers regarding defective merchandise or late deliveries.
- Managed vendor accounts payable issues by providing accurate documentation when required.
- Reviewed purchase orders and ensured accuracy of information, such as pricing, payment terms and delivery dates.
- Monitored and forecasted upcoming levels of demand to maintain optimal inventory levels.
- Reviewed supply levels and aging inventory to forecast purchasing needs.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders such as sales personnel, operations managers and finance teams.
- Coordinated with logistics to ensure timely delivery of purchased items.
- Managed risks associated with supply contracts and agreements.
- Utilized ERP systems for efficient management of purchasing processes.
- Coordinated importation of items via ocean and air.
Parts Coordinator, Procurement
Scrap Metal Services,LLC
Burns Harbor
05.2022 - 09.2024
- Coordinated parts inventory management to enhance operational efficiency at a scrap metal recycling facility.
- Ordered new inventory for parts department and fulfilled specific customer orders.
- Researched suppliers to identify cost-effective purchasing options.
- Data entry of purchase orders to vendors, Coupa program, Teams, Microsoft 365
- Compiled and organized monthly reports to provide insights for management decisions.
- Organized parts storage areas for easy access and inventory accuracy.
- Collaborated with team members to foster a positive and supportive work environment.
Sales Support Specialist & Repair Department Administration
Airgas USA LLC
Hammond
08.2011 - 05.2022
- Administrative for major corporate accounts.
- Lead and support inside sales team, sales managers.
- Coordinated communication between sales teams and customers to ensure clarity.
- Developed relationships with key clients to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
- Generated quotes for customers based on their individual needs.
- Processed customer orders, exchanges, and returns, and kept customers informed about progress.
- Processed sales orders and managed order fulfillment to ensure accurate and timely delivery.
- Processed purchase orders from customers in a timely manner.
- Resolved order issues by consulting with appropriate departments.
- Assisted sales team with administrative tasks to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
- Supported the sales team in achieving monthly and quarterly sales targets by providing administrative and technical support.
- Create and maintain customer accounts.
- Data entry of orders, quotes, inventory, payments to accounts.
- Utilized Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook to enhance productivity and communication.
- Employed SAP software system for efficient tracking of inventory and orders.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting strict deadlines.
- Maintained hard goods inventory to support sales operations and product availability.
- Tracked inventory levels to ensure product availability for customers.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure product availability for sales initiatives.
- Support of inventory issues and resolutions.
- Facilitate Repair Department, schedule repairs
- Collect information of machines, look up parts for engine drives and machine repairs.
- Order engine parts from vendors
- Process warranty repair and parts paperwork
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Identified customer needs by asking questions and advising on best solutions.
- Operated register, handled cash and processed credit card transactions.
- Reset store displays for special events and seasonal merchandise changes.
- Operated register, handled cash and processed credit card transactions.
- Reset store displays for special events and seasonal merchandise changes.
Records Coordinator
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso
11.2006 - 08.2011
- Maintained and updated student personal records for compliance and accessibility.
- Entered and organized student grades to ensure accurate academic records.
- Issue student transcripts upon request.
- Prepared weekly reports for faculty to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Managed a multi-line phone system to handle incoming calls efficiently.
Inside Sales
Mittler Supply Inc
Michigan City
06.1999 - 11.2006
- Executed sales transactions for walk-in and phone customers, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Processed customer sales orders accurately in the system, ensuring timely fulfillment.
- Managed inventory and ordered hardgoods, maintaining optimal stock levels for store supply.
- Coordinated truck routes for drivers.
- Participated in corporate safety committee meetings to promote workplace safety.
Education
Diploma -
Calumet Baptist School
Griffith, Indiana05-1988
Skills
- Service technical support
- Customer service
- Call handling techniques
- Service scheduling
- Parts ordering
- Invoice creation
- Claims processing
- Cost estimates
- Work order processing
- Data accuracy
- Excel
- SAP software
- Microsoft Office
- Office software
- Computer skills
- Payment processing
- Data entry
- HVAC systems knowledge
- Medical gas knowledge
- Industrial knowledge
- Sales knowledge
- Product knowledge
- Relationship management
- Customer engagement
- Time management
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Communication skills
- Route management
- Estimating costs
- Invoice filing
References
References are available upon request.
Timeline
Service Writer
Castongia Tractor
11.2025 - Current
Purchasing Manager
SMS Mill Services
09.2024 - 11.2025
Parts Coordinator, Procurement
Scrap Metal Services,LLC
05.2022 - 09.2024
Sales Support Specialist & Repair Department Administration
Airgas USA LLC
08.2011 - 05.2022
Records Coordinator
Valparaiso University
11.2006 - 08.2011
Inside Sales
Mittler Supply Inc
06.1999 - 11.2006
Diploma -
Calumet Baptist School