Salvage 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 Salvage Claims Specialist oversees and coordinates the workload of responding to Salvage of abandoned cargo or cargo which has gone through the company’s Idle Process from initiation to conclusion.  The role also communicates and coordinates with internal departments and insurers on major weather or operational events involving widespread cargo and equipment loss, vessel damages, injuries, and fatalities in the U.S. and Canada. The role occasionally requires guidance to internal and external customers during incidents relating to potential/confirmed vessel damage, equipment damage, or support on road accidents. Lastly, the role performs a variety of claims support functions including, but not limited to, review and release approval of refrigerated container data downloads, appointment of marine surveyors, review and payment of survey invoices, and updating of claims files in the cargo claims online platform.

Functions & Duties

Description
•    Manage the salvage of Group abandoned cargo in the U.S. and Canada. Direct internal departments in the proper completion of their Idle Process prior to salvaging goods. Maintain relationships with salvage companies. Coordinate with internal departments to expedite actions needed for sale/disposal and return of Group equipment.  Ensure all net expenses are invoiced to the shipper or consignee, ensuring recovery of losses to the company.
•    Assess the nature of any major casualty event (weather, operational, etc.) and determine what resources are needed to resolve the situation. Ensure that matters are handled according to the agency and Head Office legal department procedures, policies, and Key Performance Indicators. Ensures the coordination of all efforts to contain and resolve the situation. Lead communications within the Legal Department, stakeholders, customers, and others to provide updates. Assign, review, monitor and proactively follow up with resolution owners (internal and external) and ensure complete and timely resolution.  
•    Use analysis software to review and approve the release of refrigerated container data downloads to customers in accordance with Customer Service procedures, tariff rules, and contractual obligations.
•    Ensure the compliance of all teams, including management, in the implementation of appropriate responses to incidents including recovery actions. Resolves complaints and answers questions of customers and other departments regarding events, including guidance on procedures and processes.
•    Appoint surveyors, salvage/disposal vendors, and outside counsel in coordination with Director and Deputy General Counsel, Head Office legal department, Protection and Indemnity Clubs, and equipment insurers. Makes recommendations to insurers regarding strategy.
•    Appoint surveyors, salvage/disposal vendors, and outside counsel in coordination with Director and Deputy General Counsel, Head Office legal department, Protection and Indemnity Clubs, and equipment insurers. Make recommendations to insurers regarding strategy.
•    Identify and communicate operational process deficiencies and proposed process solutions to leadership. Develop and implement preventive measures and actions to minimize future incidents and company exposure in coordination with Management. Suggest changes in policies and procedures.
•    MISCELLANEOUS RELATED DUTIES or PROJECTS AS ASSIGNED
•    Validate and approve payment requests for vendors up to $25,000 for salvors and marine cargo surveyor appointments up to $2,000.
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

•    General knowledge of international shipping logistics and transportation
•    Thorough understanding of internal systems such as LARA
•    Strong knowledge of our Bookings, Documentation, Logistics, and Customer Service departments
•    A working awareness of marine regulations and law such as the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA)
•    Complete understanding of CMA CGM’s BL Terms & Conditions
•    Understanding liabilities and risk to the company including the risk of cargo and equipment damages
•    Must be detail–oriented and possess strong organizational skills, particularly with using technological tools to best track the work and minimize obstacles
•    Focused on outcomes: approaches work with drive and energy with an eye to the bottom line; Pushes self and others for results.
•    Investigative skills: identifying and gathering evidence, making reasonable deductions based on information and experience, and anticipating outcomes
•    Ability to analyze all details of an incident and, based on this analysis, make effective decisions and recommendations regarding next steps
•    Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and convey a sense of urgency by multi-tasking and prioritizing the mission-critical from the nice-to-do and the trivial
•    Self-starter with capability to operate independently
•    Customer service and advocacy skills, resolving conflicts in a friendly, positive manner
•    Ability to work as a team member, including support and additional work when needed
•    Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Can efficiently communicate with other departments and upper management
•    Computer literacy: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internal systems such as LARA. Ability to quickly learn and implement new digital tools
 

Qualifications 

Education
Required/Preferred    Education Level    Description
Required    High School Diploma or GED    
Preferred    Bachelors Degree     

Work Experience
Experience    Years of Experience    Description
Industry Experience    3-5 years    

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.