Adéle Terhorst

Administrative and operations professional with over 20 years' experience across freight and logistics, legal administration, workshop administration, creditors, invoicing, imports/exports and executive support. Skilled in high-volume invoice processing, quotations, data capturing, document control and customer/supplier liaison, with a proven track record of keeping accounts accurate, deadlines met and confidential information secure. Reliable, organised and comfortable working independently, under deadlines and with remote/distributed teams.

Import Agent / Air Freight Operations Support - Five Star - U.S. Client / Remote

(2026-06 - 2026-08)

• Delivered responsive, time-sensitive air-freight support for a U.S.-based client remotely, monitoring a shared operations inbox and resolving shipment alerts and customer requests within a strict 15-minute SLA.
• Coordinated shipment recovery issues directly with dispatch, keeping customers informed at every stage through to resolution.
• Maintained accurate shipment records using Crown Data TMS for searches, job logs and system updates, supporting same-day quote and rate turnaround.
• Handled bonded warehouse and customs recovery documentation, Chain of Custody records and remote-team handovers, ensuring continuity across shifts.

Legal Secretary / Administrative Assistant - Seppings Attorneys

(2025-10 - 2026-05)

• Drafted and formatted legal agreements, correspondence, affidavits, summonses and other confidential documents with a high standard of accuracy.
• Indexed and paginated court bundles, keeping legal correspondence, confidential files, diaries and deadlines organised and on track.
• Supported family law, estates, Guardian's Fund, conveyancing and business/liquor licence matters, ensuring accurate administration and reliable follow-through.

Workshop Administrative Assistant - Byron's Auto Clinic

(2017-08 - 2025-02)

• Managed the full front-of-house workshop cycle — bookings, job cards, quotations, invoicing, payments, parts/spares ordering and supplier follow-ups — keeping daily operations running smoothly.
• Kept billing accurate and current, processing 5–10 invoices and up to 20 quotations daily with careful checks on paperwork and pricing.
• Allocated payments and maintained up-to-date spreadsheets, coordinating pickups and drop-offs to keep operational records reliable.

Career Break — Family Responsibilities

(2015-05 - 2017-07)

Career break focused on family responsibilities and caregiving.

Sales & Servicing Consultant / Freight Administration Support - CFR Freight

(2012-03 - 2015-04)

• Built new business through client visits and relationship management, maintaining strong customer service levels that supported reliable freight delivery.
• Delivered accurate shipping-rate quotations and freight costings, sourcing competitive rates and tariffs and resolving customer queries promptly.
• Supported the Branch Manager with call reports, commission spreadsheets and landside rate negotiations, contributing to smoother administrative reporting.

Creditors Clerk / Executive Assistant / Imports & Exports Support - Hamilton Brush / Freeworld Plascon Group

(2000-01 - 2012-02)

• Delivered accurate, high-volume invoice processing, handling 80–200 supplier invoices daily at peak volume, identifying discrepancies before payment and requesting credit notes to prevent incorrect payments.
• Maintained creditors administration, payment information, petty cash, orders and insurance records accurately and in an audit-ready condition.
• Trusted as Executive Assistant to the CEO, managing diary coordination, emails and bookings.
• Supported the Financial Director with creditors reconciliations and month-end/year-end processes and the Sales Director with sales analysis and reporting.
• Coordinated import/export administration for the Managing Director, including sea freight, 20' and 40' containers, factory manufacturing coordination and exports to African countries.
• Managed cross-African import/export documentation, costings, supplier communication and shipment follow-ups.
• Prepared quarterly SA Reserve Bank reporting and sustainability/environmental spreadsheets, supported year-end auditors and maintained fleet administration.

Administration, Reception & Property Support - Maynard Burgoyne Homenet

(1997-03 - 1999-12)

• Managed reception and switchboard operations alongside data capturing, invoicing, statements, quotations, filing and stock ordering.
• Coordinated property advertising, show-house scheduling and client communication, keeping the sales-ready administration cycle organised and on time.

General Studies - Werda High School (1988-01 - 1992-11)