Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

The Inbound Planning Invoice Validation & Claims Management team as part of the Global Logistics Function is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and compliance of invoices received from vendors/ suppliers. This role involves meticulous validation, verification, and processing of invoices, ensuring that all financial transactions are accurate and adhere to company policies and regulations. Is also responsible for efficiently managing and processing claims filed by the company towards carriers for damaged containers, stolen or missing cartons by filing, investigating, validating, and resolving claims while ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements, including the preparation and submission of police reports when necessary.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Validate the accuracy of assigned invoice details within SLA, including carrier costs, rates, D&D and any exception charges
• Resolve discrepancies and issues with invoices by communicating with vendors or internal departments
• Build and maintain positive relationships with vendors to facilitate smooth resolution
• Maintain accurate and organized records of all validated invoices/ claim-related documentation for auditing and reference purposes
• Receive, review, gather necessary evidence and document claims related to damaged, stolen, or missing goods
• Process claims within established guidelines, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal regulations
• Prepare and maintain reports related to invoice validation and claims management activities and report on relevant KPI’s for area of responsibility
• Generate and drive ideas for process improvements with respect to the processes in scope and ensure high quality and efficient work
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process enhancements and best practices in claims handling.

Key Relationships:

• Inbound Logistics departments in the markets and global
• Communication with adidas Distribution Centre teams
• SCM Finance departments (regional and global)
• Claims management company
• Logistics Service Providers
• GBS Teams (FIP, NTP, etc.)

Requisite Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to solve practical and theoretical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Team player, high degree of self-management, enthusiasm, drives to perform. Self-starter, ability to work and build cooperation in a multinational team / matrix organization.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and in writing, to interact effectively and efficiently on different layers of the organization and external providers.
• Professional knowledge of the Ocean, Air and Land transport markets.
• Able to follow the given instructions carefully, with eye for details, ability to identify discrepancies and to provide appropriate solutions.
• Proven problem solving and analytical skills.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent experience, preferable in accounting or business with emphasis on the areas of logistics, planning, supply chain, information systems, or operations.
• 2-3 year work experience, ideally in a supply chain management or a fast-moving logistics environment, particularly related to freight forwarding and shipment management.  
• Good knowledge in legal-finance and invoicing processes within supply chain environment.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a business setting.