Pricing Inventory Assistant

Job Summary

Central States Group, A Cogent Company, is seeking a detail-oriented Pricing & Inventory Assistant to support pricing accuracy, inventory management, and purchasing coordination. This role partners closely with the Pricing Manager and cross-functional teams to maintain accurate product data, monitor supplier costs, and support inventory optimization efforts.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong analytical skills who enjoys working with data, systems, and process improvement in a collaborative office environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and update product pricing in ERP systems
• Monitor supplier cost changes and communicate updates
• Create and maintain stock part numbers and product records
• Analyze inventory levels, usage trends, and out-of-stock items
• Support initiatives to reduce slow-moving and obsolete inventory
• Assist with purchasing coordination and buying controls
• Ensure accuracy of pricing and product information across systems
• Support vendor returns and material credits
• Provide inventory and pricing reports to support business decisions
• Identify opportunities to improve pricing and inventory workflows
• Participate in training to build product and system knowledge

Qualifications

• 3–4 years of experience in pricing, inventory, purchasing, or operations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Comfort working with ERP or inventory management systems 
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to collaborate across departments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive mindset and willingness to learn

Bachelor's degree preferred but not required with equivalent experience.

Why Work With Us?

At Cogent, you’re not just an employee—you’re an owner. Our people make the difference, our shared values define us as a team and bring our vision to life. Together, our team of employee-owners is committed to helping build healthy and prosperous communities through creatively engineered solutions for our customers.  We are a growing Midwest company that provides fluid processing solutions serving the local Industrial, Municipal, Commercial Building Trades, Oil and Gas markets through our family of trusted brands.

We Offer

• Employee Ownership (ESOP)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit Sharing Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• Generous PTO, Paid Holidays & Volunteer Time Off
• Career Development & Advancement Opportunities
• A Culture That Values Innovation, Collaboration, and Respect

Make Your Mark with Cogent

This is more than just a job—it’s a chance to work in a company where your efforts are recognized, your voice is valued, and your professional growth is supported. As an employee-owner, you'll be part of a collaborative team that celebrates innovation, accountability, and shared success.

Apply today and help us build something exceptional—together!

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Requirements listed indicate the minimum levels of skills, knowledge and abilities for the job, with preferred levels indicated.  Job requirements may be subject to modification in order to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Requests for accommodation must be discussed with Human Resources. 

Must be able to see, hear, speak, finger, grasp, walk, stand, bend, and sit.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include:  Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in an office environment or professional setting.  The noise level is usually quiet. Physical level of this position is described as: sedentary physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.