Freight Payment Program Manager - Europe

Description

Coherent Corp is the global leader in photonics, designing and manufacturing advanced laser, optical, and materials technologies.

Our innovations power semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications, and precision industrial systems worldwide.

With a global footprint and cutting-edge manufacturing and R&D, we’re shaping the future of high-tech industries.

In Germany, our teams are at the heart of Europe’s photonics and industrial laser ecosystem, combining engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing, and applied R&D to deliver high-precision laser and optical solutions for automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and advanced manufacturing customers worldwide.

The Role

We are seeking a Freight Payment Program Manager to lead freight payment operations across the EMEA region.

In this role, you will oversee our third-party freight payment and audit provider, ensuring freight invoices are processed accurately, VAT requirements are met across multiple jurisdictions, and transportation costs are managed effectively.

Working closely with Finance, Tax, Procurement, IT and Transportation teams, you will ensure compliance with regional financial and regulatory requirements while driving operational excellence across a complex, multi-country transportation network.

You will be responsible for

• Managing the relationship with the company's freight payment and audit provider across the EMEA region.
• Overseeing freight invoice processing, validation, discrepancy resolution and payment execution.
• Ensuring freight invoices comply with EMEA VAT regulations, including domestic, intra-EU and import/export transactions.
• Reviewing reverse charge mechanisms and ensuring invoices meet country-specific legal and tax requirements.
• Partnering with Finance and Tax teams to support VAT recovery, reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting internal and external audits relating to freight spend, VAT accuracy and financial documentation.
• Monitoring provider performance and developing KPIs to measure invoice accuracy, payment timeliness and operational effectiveness.
• Ensuring accurate general ledger coding, cost centre mapping and tax-sensitive financial allocations.
• Leading the onboarding of new carriers and sites onto the freight payment platform, ensuring compliance with internal financial controls and VAT requirements.
• Acting as the key liaison between Transportation, Finance, Procurement, Tax and IT for freight payment initiatives and process improvements.
• Driving continuous improvement across freight payment processes, controls and supplier performance.

About You

You are a highly organised and analytical professional with experience managing freight payment operations in a complex, international environment.

You have a strong understanding of transportation finance, VAT compliance and cross-functional stakeholder management, with the ability to balance operational efficiency with regulatory compliance.

You will also have

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business or a related discipline.
• Five or more years' experience in freight audit and payment, transportation, logistics or supply chain management.
• Strong knowledge of freight payment platforms and end-to-end freight payment processes.
• Solid understanding of EMEA VAT regulations, including cross-border VAT treatment, reverse charge mechanisms, import VAT and multi-country compliance requirements.
• Experience working with financial systems, general ledger coding and cost centre management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience managing third-party service providers and working effectively across multiple business functions.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using transportation management systems (TMS) and freight payment platforms such as Trax or SSUI.

Desirable experience includes

• Managing freight payment operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Knowledge of EU customs procedures and import/export documentation.
• Experience supporting VAT audits, VAT reclaim processes or tax engine integrations.
• Understanding of global transportation modes, including parcel, road freight (LTL/FTL), ocean and air freight.
• Experience working within highly regulated, multinational or multi-entity organisations.
• Ensure adherence to the company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position:
• 🤝 Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• ✨ Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• 🎯 Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• 🌍 Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• 🚀 Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
• Application & Selection

Current employees who wish to apply should submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and how their skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application process, please reach out to kris. cairns@coherent. com.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.