Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist

Company Description

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA. Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN. We are committed to maintaining a progressive workplace by utilizing the ideas, skills and talents of all of our employees. We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

Job Description

As a functional leader in the Deduction Resolutions group, this role is key to the administration of Stratas Foods’ customer accounts receivable maintenance and credit application. Under the direct supervision of the Accounting Shared Services Manager, the Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist will be an advisor for the Accounts Receivable Specialists and the Accounts Receivable Representatives and provide deductions reports to management. This role is instrumental in assisting junior staff with identifying and escalating invalid deductions to department management and sales. This role is also responsible for acting as a liaison between the Deduction Resolution Team and the Trade Promotions Analysts in the resolution of deductions that have corresponding programs within the Trade Promotions department. This role indirectly manages the workflow of the Accounts Receivable Specialist and the Accounts Receivable Representative and their training and development. 

1. Leads the administration of deductions, including their processing in applicable systems and reviews junior staff’s work for accuracy and substantiation. Ensures appropriate coding, necessary approval, and clearing of valid deductions and resolution of disputes all in a timely manner. 
2. Acts as the subject matter expert and a point of contact with customers and internal sales teams to answer questions and to resolve issues either directly or by delegating to the appropriate Accounts Receivable Specialist or Accounts Receivable Representative. 
3. Assists team in researching and validating deductions for both trade and non-trade related deductions and clearing valid deductions. 
4. Assists team in recouping invalid deductions by providing accurate data and evidence to internal and external stakeholders. 
5. Prepares and distributes reports related to the Deductions department and assists in the tracking of customer repayment and other resolution metrics as assigned. 
6. Trains and develops the Accounts Receivable Specialists and the Accounts Receivable Representatives and communicates updates or any issues to internal teams and external teams proactively. 
7. Assists Accounting Shared Services Manager with allocation of team resources and provides input on how individual team members are performing. 
8. Identifies opportunities for process improvement and assists the Accounting Shared Services Manager in developing methods to increase productivity and efficiency for the entire team. 
9. Coordinates with the Customer Service, Transportation, and Cash Application departments for the tracking, management, and deposit of all Freight Claim checks.
10. Other projects and ad hoc requests as requested. 

Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor's degree in a business-related field required or equivalent experience. 

Experience: Minimum 4 years business experience. Experience in Customer Service, Sales/Marketing or Accounting/Finance is strongly preferred. 

Equipment/Software Skills: Excellent knowledge of all Microsoft Office, database access, and spreadsheet programs (should be able to create formulas, link and summarize data, etc.) required. Must be able to quickly learn new system applications. Experience working with databases and exporting to Excel is preferred. 

Competencies: 

1. Leadership – Provide leadership by demonstrating and driving a sense of ownership and accountability with the team and department. 
2. Analytical Problem Solving – Able to take large amounts of information and identify opportunity areas and develop analytically driven solutions. 
3. Business Acumen – Demonstrates a thorough understanding of company operations and is able to translate the impact decisions will have on financials. 
4. Communication – Actively listens and responds well to internal and external stakeholders. Speaks clearly and persuasively in all situations. Understands how to effectively and professionally communicate indirectly (i.e., email, messaging, etc.).
5. Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions. Provides sound reasoning for making independent decisions. Uses strong reasoning and negotiation skills to secure repayment from customers for invalid items. 
6. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Works well with colleagues and provides and receives feedback. Takes an active role in leading team engagement.

Additional Information

Physical: This position has limited physical activity requirements – primarily sitting and walking to the copy room and throughout the building to interact with other departments. Lifting would only require filing documents and possibly boxing items to send to storage. 

Sensory: This position requires the use primarily of visual, hearing and speaking senses. Visual activities include the ability to read computer generated reports and customer documentation, and to utilize a computer system. Hearing and speaking are required to work with other department colleagues as well as with parent company colleagues to research issues and learn job functions.

Mental/Reasoning: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Good organizational skills with strong discipline and work ethic. Dependable. Ability to multitask and work under pressure while managing obstacles such as time constraints and prioritize workload appropriately. Must work well with others under little supervision. 

Stratas Foods is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee in any manner prohibited by law, including but not limited to, on the basis of race or color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, national origin/ancestry, mental or physical disability, family status/marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, and any other legally protected status.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision-The Employer will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Employer’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Stratas Foods Applicant Request for Accommodation Form: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance

Stratas Foods California Privacy Rights Act Policy: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance