Cargo Claims Specialist

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

Position Summary:

The Cargo Claims Specialist is the handler for a specific category of Cargo Claims for both APL and CMA CGM. The role has complete ownership of the cargo claims for U.S. imports for that category and carries sole discretion on the investigation and resolution of the claims up to $25,000 per claim. This position will interact with all departments within the organization on a regular basis and will have to use experience and discretion to choose the correct course of action on each claim from a series of possibilities. Failure to act appropriately can only increase the risk of additional losses for the company.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities:

• Solely manage the portfolio of a specific category of cargo claims for both APL and CMA CGM (Dry BCO, Dry NVOCC, or Reefer Cargo).

• This work includes responding to all alleged damage notices and formal claims, determining the key documents to request in order to prove that a loss occurred, and which party is legally liable for the loss. Calculate the amount of loss, and upon completing a thorough investigation, independently determine the company's level of liability, if any, and close the claim with a denial or a negotiated settlement up to $25,000 in a timely manner. Independently manage the costs of surveyors. Manage outside counsels' fees in coordination with the Senior Claims Specialist, Director, Cargo claims, and/or VP, Cargo Claims & Risk Management

• Engage, direct and instruct internal departments in the timely and appropriate responses to notices of damage from customers, which will involve the provision of all internally available investigative information.

• Determine if the recommendation of a process change is warranted to improve our ability to investigate claims or reduce the risk of future damages in coordination with the Risk Management Team.

• Lead the investigation of each cargo claim to determine which party involved in the transport of the goods was responsible for the loss, place this party on notice, and demand full reimbursement of the Group's losses utilizing all available recourse, up to an including litigation.

• Manage the relationship between our clients and our commercial organization at APL and CMA CGM. Use discretion to report cases which can lead to friction with a client that affects our broader business. This includes building trust, both internally and externally, by treating clients fairly, consistently, and thoroughly explaining the legal limits of our liability and the underlying reasoning of a claim decision.

• Manage and organize all electronic records of Notices of Damage, Cargo Claims, Lawsuits, and miscellaneous electronic communications in Recours (the claims database), Outlook, SharePoint, and company drives.

• Assist the Director, Cargo Claims in analyzing claims data, detecting and responding to trends in cargo damage. This will include providing ad hoc reporting, and taking over special projects, as assigned.

• Defend and/or negotiate out of court any litigation which names a North American Group entity in coordination with Singapore, Marseille, and the P & I Club, providing all information, documents, and advice on further actions requested. Appoint outside legal counsel, establish a defense budget, and act as the main point of contact for the case. Actions will include instructing other internal departments to hold or submit documents for subpoena or discovery and providing knowledge and advice on strategy to our attorneys in coordination with the Senior Claims Specialist, Director, Cargo claims, and/or VP, Cargo Claims & Risk Management

• Miscellaneous related duties or projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• International logistics and transportation preferred

• claims handling principles preferred

• Maritime Law concepts preferred

• Computer skills in Outlook, Excel, Word, O365, and the ability to learn and navigate new systems quickly

• Customer service skills

• Ability to work under pressure

• Analytical skills

• Problem solving skills

• Good writing and oral skills

• Negotiation skills

• Ability to multitask

• Able to work independently or with a team

• Investigative skills

• Ability to communicate with upper management comfortably

• Able to make quick and difficult decisions

• Meet time lines

• Detailed oriented

• Strong organization skills

• Ability to make decisions independently

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's degree preferred.

• 2+ years of industry and general experience required.

• Knowledge of general claim processes preferred

• Understanding of legal defense concepts preferred

Come along on CMA CGM's adventure! CMA CGM (America) LLC is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected classification.

Nearest Major Market: Hampton Roads