Customer Service Specialist

Follow your aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities, competitive salaries, great benefits, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a company paid pension plan and profit sharing, all with a company providing the growth and strength to build your future.A. Department function/objective: The Customer Service & Transportation Department is responsible for controlling the flow of product and all customer service activities to support the market demand of AI affiliates and direct customers. The department is responsible for the coordination of production and distribution of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and US manufactured products. This includes both finished goods and delivery of raw materials/commodities to support global manufacturing facilities. The department is responsible for monitoring and executing the Master Arrival Schedule to support the worldwide supply chain.There are several fundamental areas of logistics activities performed by this department:1)Coordination of distribution and export of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and US manufactured products2)Act as primary liaison between supply division logistics operations and affiliates3)Monitor worldwide demand for US manufactured products and take appropriate actions to resolve problems4)Monitor key performance indicators, perform root cause analysis and implement corrective action plans. Regularly issue performance reports5)Issue requirements for air, ocean and truck services to transportation service providers6)Coordinate new product launch and product conversions7)Ensure export compliance related to Regulatory, Customs, Financial, and other areas as defined (e.g DEA for Controlled Substances)8)Execute the Master Arrival Schedule to assure replenishments are meeting market demand.B. Primary function:The function of the Customer Service Specialist position is to monitor and execute affiliate level warehouse replenishments. Coordinate the distribution of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and U.S. manufactured products required to support AI market demand while maintaining desired customer service levels. This position has the responsibility for allocating, shipping, export documentation, maintaining system data and communicating changes to the master arrival schedule.ShippingThe Customer Service Specialist is responsible for the creation of the export shipment, allocation of product, coordination of the shipment with the source warehouse and coordination of the shipment with the transportation service provider. The position is responsible for assigning and maintaining accurate date specific departure dates for shipments in a robust system that generates the Master Arrival Schedule to the foreign affiliate/customer. In addition, the position carries the responsibility to minimize transportation expenses while maximizing container utilization and maintaining Class A customer service performance.DocumentationThe Customer Service Specialist must obtain freight expense by mode of transportation, e.g., air, ocean, truck by calculating total kilos and cubic meters and entering the traffic data into the BPCS Traffic Module. The position has the responsibility to invoice and post all shipments that generates a transaction through ISA and transfers inventory carrying cost to the foreign affiliate/customer. The position also has the responsibility to coordinate the creation of additional documentation requirements, e.g., health certificates, USDA certificates, etc. The accuracy of the data is critical in order to export the product out of the source country (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and into the country of destination. The position has the responsibility to prepare credit/debit memos when required and maintain Departure Folders that contain the Shippers Letter of Instruction, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Schedule B Summary, Pick List and Posting Register. The Departure Folders must be maintained for 7 years due to U.S. tax requirements.Systems DataThe Customer Service Specialist maintains all foreign affiliate/customer requirements for allocating, shipping, documentation and transportation service providers. The position maintains all foreign affiliate/customer master and ship to files, order, shipment and customer specific item notes. The position has the responsibility to coordinate all foreign affiliate Distribution Resource Planning (DRP) parameters, process and apply DRP files, create and maintain item/affiliate specific IWI/IWIC files, create and maintain item/affiliate specific Direct Distribution Relationships, add and delete DRP items as required and coordinate item conversions and new product introductions in foreign markets.QualificationsBasic Strong teamwork skills required to work effectively in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external supply chain partners.Effective written and oral communication skills are required to facilitate information flow across the supply chain. Initiative and innovation skills are required to identify and implement business process improvements. Excellent organization and follow up skills are critical to ensure timely distribution of product and communication across the supply chain. Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:Distribution, Operations, Customer service, or Transportation Total combined years of experience preferred- 2 plus yearsInternational logistics experience preferred. Qualifications:Preferred Qualifications: Bachelors Degree preferred (Logistics Management or Business Administration fields preferred) or equivalent work experience Membership and active participation in logistics/transportation associations preferred. APICS certification preferredAbbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce. EEO/AATo apply for this position, click here.To learn more about Abbott and view other opportunities, click here.