Freight Pay Specialist

About Ascend Performance Materials

Ascend Performance Materials is a leading global producer of high-performance polyamide-based materials used in various everyday products and cutting-edge technologies. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company operates seven manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia and employs around 3,000 personnel globally. Ascend's portfolio spans automotive, electrical and electronics, cable ties and fasteners, consumer and industrial goods, compounding feedstock, and healthcare markets. In 2022, Ascend expanded its footprint into India by acquiring the compounding division of Formulated Polymers Ltd., including a large-scale manufacturing site in Chennai and multiple warehouses nationwide, enhancing its presence in electrical and e-mobility sectors.

Position Overview

The Freight Pay Specialist position involves collaborating closely with supply chain, finance, and logistics procurement teams to ensure flawless operation of Ascend’s third-party Freight Payment and Audit system following designated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The role is vital in ensuring timely carrier payments to prevent credit issues and appropriately routing invoice exceptions for approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement disciplined carrier account management by regularly reviewing Statements of Account, resolving payment inconsistencies swiftly, and maintaining strong carrier relationships to avoid service interruptions.
• Acquire in-depth knowledge of Ascend’s freight payment, audit, and approval workflows; act as the liaison between carriers, internal teams, and third-party Freight Audit & Payment services to guarantee precise and prompt invoice processing.
• Lead and standardize the Demurrage & Detention (D&D) invoice handling process—validating, approving, disputing where necessary, and timely payment submission to ensure compliance and minimize costs.
• Manage D&D invoice reviews, dispute resolution, approval coordination, and prompt payment processing to control expenditures.
• Regularly audit carrier and vendor Statements of Account to confirm invoices are received, approved, and paid properly.
• Investigate and address open balances, aged invoices, payment discrepancies, duplicate payments, and billing disputes with carriers and internal stakeholders.
• Compile and provide supporting documents for outstanding balance inquiries and payment requests.
• Handle freight invoice processing within SAP, Transportation Management Systems, and freight audit/payment platforms.
• Collaborate with Finance and Accounts Payable to ensure freight invoices are approved and paid according to terms.
• Serve as the primary contact among Ascend, carriers, and freight audit/payment providers for invoice, payment, and account reconciliation issues.
• Monitor invoice exceptions and work with stakeholders to expedite approvals and resolve problems.
• Assist continuous improvement initiatives aimed at shortening invoice cycles, boosting payment accuracy, and enhancing carrier experience.
• Maintain robust relationships with carriers, logistic providers, finance teams, and external partners to support seamless freight payment operations.

Team Reporting

This role reports directly to the Supply Chain Director.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in freight payment, transportation accounting, logistics operations, accounts payable, supply chain finance, or similar areas.

Essential Skills

• Expertise in freight invoice auditing and payment processing.
• Proficiency in carrier account reconciliation and managing vendor accounts.
• Experience with SAP preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.