Location: Jaffrey, N.H.
Position: Purchasing Agent • Belletetes Inc.

How did you begin your career in the LBM industry?

I began my career in the industry in 2016 with the same company I work for today, Belletetes Inc.,
a family-owned retail lumberyard based in New Hampshire. I started as most would— in the lumberyard, assisting with pulling orders and helping customers.

Through the first four years, I had short tenures in positions as a delivery driver, inside sales staff,
and lumberyard foreman, ultimately settling in at my current role as a purchasing agent in 2020.

What are some of the responsibilities of your position?

Being a purchasing agent for Belletetes, we have a wide variety of responsibilities. From quality control,
market research, inventory management, and vendor relations, we work closely with all other departments
to make sure we are aligning our purchasing strategy with the goals of our company as a whole.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your career?

Some of the biggest challenges I face as a purchaser in the LBM industry is keeping up with the continued growth and demand of our customers. Since I started in 2020, we have seen an incredible amount of market change and disruption that has proved difficult to consistently supply the quantity and quality of product our customers expect.

What have you learned since working in the industry?

My mentors have always taught me to keep an open mind and continue to expose myself to all aspects of the industry. There is so much out there to learn and experience.

What advice would you give to anyone new to the industry?

My advice to someone new is to put yourself out there and be eager to learn! The LBM industry is an aging industry with endless institutional knowledge to be passed along; in the next decade, there will be great opportunities for anyone looking to advance their career.

What are your passions outside of the office?

From golfing to snowboarding or just spending time with family and friends, I enjoy anything that helps keep me grounded in this fast-paced industry! LC

Do you have an employee or co-worker under the age of 40 who is actively and proudly working in the LBM Industry? If so, we want to know! Please submit your nominee here and they may be featured in an issue of the Lumber Co-operator!