Credit & Collections Specialist

Description

The Credit and Collections Specialist is responsible for performing the daily Credit/Collections functions. Contacts delinquent accounts for payment and prepare related reports.

Responsibilities

• Apply sound Credit & Collections practices to ensure minimal bad debt exposure.
• Maintain aging at acceptable level in line with company objectives.
• Lead the collection of all past due accounts for the portfolio assigned by contacting customers to ensure prompt payment of all invoices.
• Recommend action on delinquent accounts by analyzing paying practices of customers.
• Minimize past due receivables, open chargebacks, bad debt & DSO.
• Update sales and management on past-due accounts by providing specific updates for each customer.
• Resolve Invoice and Statement issues and ensure all accounts are up to date by reconciling monthly.
• Maintain a strong and effective working relationships with sales and the sales operations group for timely resolution of billing issues.
• Assist in projects and audits as required.
• Maintain accurate customer files and keep track of name and address changes.
• Process past-due accounts with an outside collection agency.
• Write up accounting adjustments on a daily and monthly basis.
• Recommend credit line adjustments by evaluating customer records, purchase activity, and payment history.
• Verify accuracy of charges and correct account errors by reviewing purchasing documentation and contacting customers.
• Maintain customer confidence by keeping information confidential.
• Assess credit worthiness of accounts, process credit applications.
• Prepare special aging reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information and trends.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Related degree or equivalent work experience with a High School diploma or GED required.
• 3 years of experience working in Business-to-Business Customer Service / Credit and Collections.
• Previous experience with JD Edwards preferred.
• Food Service industry experience is a plus.
• Telemarketing and Customer Service experience a plus.

Personal & Professional Skills

• Excellent research skills and ability to resolve Chargeback issues.
• Operates as a team-oriented problem solver who takes ownership of their work.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office, especially Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Personable positive demeanor and the ability to interact with all levels.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-up, time management, multitasking skills while handling frequent interruptions.
• Ability to manage high-volume emails & calls. (30 to 40 calls daily and manage 3,000 accounts).
• Meets deadlines, follows through on commitments and delivers on promises.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service at all levels, externally and Internally.
• Strive for continuous improvement.
• Generate original, creative ideas to improve processes.
• Able to express ideas clearly and logically.
• Information Management
• Computer Competency
• Excellent analytical skills
• Collaboration
• Self-Starter