Account Specialist Job

Arkema's High Performance Polymers (HPP) business is seeking an experienced Account Specialist, to support our growing global customer base. This role serves as a critical operational link between customers, manufacturing sites, logistics providers, supply chain teams, commercial organizations, and international affiliates.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing complex export and domestic order fulfillment activities for a portfolio of global customers across Arkema's Specialty Polyamides, Fluoropolymers, and PEKK product lines. International transactions represent more than half of the business managed within this role, requiring strong knowledge of export operations, customer account management, transportation processes, supply chain coordination, and international trade requirements.

This position goes beyond traditional customer service responsibilities. The successful candidate will actively coordinate global order execution, support revenue-generating activities, manage supply chain disruptions, resolve customer and logistics challenges, and collaborate across numerous internal functions to ensure outstanding customer performance and business continuity.

The role offers significant visibility across the organization and provides the opportunity to work closely with teams throughout North America and internationally while contributing to a highly regulated and fast-moving global business environment.

RESPONSABILTIES:

Manage Global Customer Orders: 

• Own the end-to-end management of export and domestic customer orders from order receipt through final delivery.
• Ensure accurate and timely order processing while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and service excellence.
• Monitor orders throughout the fulfillment cycle and proactively identify potential risks to delivery performance.
• Maintain customer master data and transactional information within SAP to support efficient order execution and reporting.
• Provide customers with timely updates regarding order status, shipment schedules, product availability, and delivery commitments.

Coordinate International Export Operations

• Manage export execution activities and support the movement of products to customers around the world.
• Prepare and coordinate shipping instructions and export documentation required for international shipments.
• Work closely with logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping locations, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliant and timely shipment execution.
• Monitor bookings, vessel schedules, transportation activities, and shipping documentation throughout the export process.
• Support commercial activities by providing transportation-related cost information and logistics guidance.

Partner Across the Global Supply Chain

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics, Commercial, Regulatory, Finance, and Customer Service teams to ensure customer commitments are met.
• Participate in planning and S&OP activities to align customer demand with inventory and production capabilities.
• Support decision-making through effective communication of customer requirements, supply constraints, and business priorities.
• Serve as a trusted business partner to both internal stakeholders and external customers.

Resolve Complex Business and Customer Challenges

• Investigate and resolve customer inquiries, account discrepancies, shipment delays, and order-related concerns.
• Coordinate cross-functional resolution of supply chain disruptions, transportation issues, and logistics exceptions.
• Minimize customer impact associated with shipment delays, booking changes, inventory shortages, demurrage charges, and other operational challenges.
• Evaluate situations independently and make sound business decisions while balancing customer needs and company objectives

Support Business Continuity and Process Excellence

• Act as a key backup for import operations and related international order management activities.
• Support quality, compliance, and ISO-related initiatives through process improvements and documentation updates.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts that enhance efficiency, operational performance, and customer experience.
• Maintain knowledge of systems, products, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices through ongoing training and development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in customer service, order management, supply chain, logistics, or another customer-facing business function.
• At least 2 years of experience supporting international business, export operations, or global order management activities.
• Experience working within SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting export operations within a manufacturing, chemical, industrial, or distribution environment.
• Knowledge of international shipping documentation, global transportation processes, and Incoterms.
• Experience working in a highly regulated or globally integrated business environment.
• Exposure to demand planning, inventory management, supply chain planning, or S&OP processes.

Key Competencies:

• Strong understanding of international order management and export operations.
• Exceptional customer focus and relationship-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across cultures and geographic regions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Effective prioritization and organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse cross-functional teams.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills when navigating complex customer and supply chain situations.