Sr Collections Associate

Primary Responsibility

Perform activities necessary for effective and efficient collections processing.

• Analyze customer accounts and resolve complex billing disputes, involving the use of spreadsheets and assistance (as required) from operations and sales.
• Review customer aging and identify past due items using both SAP Collections Management System and Excel spreadsheet aging reports.
• Manage portfolio and make collection calls, send emails, and/or letters to delinquent accounts. Work with customers to understand and resolve their issues and concerns.
• Prepare documentation for warehouse liens as directed.
• Manage a system of follow-up that assures all delinquent items are resolved according to meeting department goals and activity metrics.
• Investigate and resolve over payments and deductions on customer accounts.
• Prepare management reports regarding customer accounts as needed.
• Contact facilities or Carriers for backup documentation as needed.
• Provide necessary documentation to the customer to facilitate prompt payments.
• Help improve the collections process for transportation and transportation processes that affect billing/collection.
• Training of new transportation collectors and assisting current transportation collectors.
• Prepare team and customers' monthly reports.
• Discuss EDI invoicing with customers where appropriate and coordinate with IT to ensure a smooth transition.
• Continue to encourage customers to release Americold from providing warehouse bills of lading and/or proofs of delivery.
• Schedule conference calls to resolve collection issues, as well as use other appropriate methods of escalation to accelerate the collection process.
• Encourage all customers to pay within established payment terms.

• 5 to 7 years of collections/ accounting or analysis experience. Some supervisory experience is ideal. The collection experience must be in a high-volume and high-dollar environment.
• Associates college degree or equivalent work experience required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Transportation experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent problem solver
• Detail-oriented with good analytical skills
• Experience with SAP accounts receivable required
• Proficient in reporting tools and with MS Office products - Word and Excel (strong Excel)
• Strong customer service skills (internal and external customers)
• Experience in relationship-based collections preferred

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact comfortably within all levels of the organization
• High energy, self - starter with the ability to take initiative with minimal guidance
• Quick learner who thrives in a time-sensitive compliance reporting environment
• Ability to perform well under pressure and maintain a positive attitude in a high-volume and changing environment
• Demonstrates consistency, flexibility, and commitment to meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail are essential
• Demonstration of ownership and ability to multitask to balance responsibilities with assigned projects
• Comfortable working both as an individual and on a team
• Very strong organizational and analytical skills

• Requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, with frequent interruptions
• Requires several hours per day of sitting, getting up and down from chairs, and reaching, or bending
• Requires manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work
• Talking, hearing, and seeing are important elements of completing assigned tasks
• May require travel by automobile and airplane for business
• May require a visit to facility operations in temperatures at or below freezing
• May carry loads related to travel and occasionally lift, carry, position, or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds
• Requires the use of various electronic tools
• Requires the ability to relate to others beyond giving and receiving instructions: must partner with colleagues without exhibiting behavioral extremes
• Requires the performance of work activities including reasoning, negotiating, instructing, persuading, or speaking with others; and respond appropriately to constructive feedback from executive management

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Americold is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and complies with applicable employment laws. EOE/AA M/F/D/V DFW.