Senior Collections Specialist
Aston Carter, Hopkins, MN, United States
Job Title
Senior Collections Specialist
Job Description The Senior Collections Specialist manages a portfolio of business-to-business customer accounts within the manufacturing and service industries, focusing on relationship-driven credit and collections rather than traditional third‑party collections. This role emphasizes proactive customer communication, timely resolution of invoicing and payment issues, and close collaboration with internal teams to improve billing, cash application, and dispute processes. Success is measured by invoice aging, effectiveness of customer interactions, management of credit holds, and overall portfolio performance, all while delivering a high level of customer service.
Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of customer accounts and oversee the full credit and collections lifecycle for those accounts.
Maintain a daily goal of approximately 25 customer contacts through a mix of phone and email, aiming to connect with at least 10 customers by phone each day.
Monitor, review, and follow up on invoices through customer portals and internal systems, including SAP, to ensure timely payment.
Expedite the resolution of unpaid customer accounts to minimize receivables while preserving strong customer relationships and goodwill.
Coordinate the resolution of customer disputes by working closely with internal departments and customer contacts.
Analyze customer account history directly with customers to identify issues, clarify balances, and agree on payment plans or resolutions.
Collaborate with internal teams such as billing, credit, and cash application to analyze and resolve customer issues with a focus on identifying and addressing root causes.
Contact customers promptly when new orders are placed on credit hold to resolve disputes, clarify terms, and expedite payments so orders can be released.
Participate in the credit approval process as needed, providing input based on account history and risk assessment.
Respond promptly and professionally to customer requests via phone and email, including processing credit card payments and requesting updates to customer master data.
Identify accounts that may require formal demand letters and elevate accounts that need handling by third‑party collection agencies in accordance with company policy.
Perform basic account reconciliations to ensure account accuracy and resolve discrepancies in balances or payment applications.
Work effectively with performance metrics, meeting weekly and monthly targets related to collections, contacts, and portfolio health.
Support continuous improvement efforts by sharing insights on recurring issues and suggesting process enhancements related to invoicing, disputes, and collections.
Essential Skills
At least 5 years of collections experience, ideally in a business‑to‑business environment.
Proven ability to handle high volumes of transactions and manage a large workload effectively.
Demonstrated comfort working with weekly and monthly performance metrics and targets.
Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with customers.
Experience working with aging reports and accounts receivable processes.
Ability to perform basic account reconciliations and analyze account history.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi‑task and prioritize in a fast‑paced environment.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for frequent phone and email interactions.
Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional internal teams such as billing, credit, and cash application.
Comfort working in a structured collections environment focused on portfolio management and invoice aging.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with SAP, particularly SAP S/4HANA, is a strong plus; training is available for candidates without SAP experience.
Background in the manufacturing and/or service industries is highly preferred.
Familiarity with customer portals for invoice review and payment tracking.
Experience analyzing and resolving customer disputes related to billing, invoicing, or payment application.
Understanding of credit holds, credit approval processes, and escalation procedures for delinquent accounts.
No specific formal education is required; relevant experience and skills are the primary focus.
Ability to contribute to root cause analysis and continuous improvement related to billing and collections processes.
Work Environment This role is based at a modern, newly built corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, designed specifically to support a large, collaborative Accounting and Finance organization. The company is a long‑established, publicly traded, global business with a history spanning nearly 150 years and a strong track record of stability and growth. The Senior Collections Specialist works on a team of approximately eight other collectors and sits alongside the Credit and Cash Application teams, fostering close collaboration and knowledge sharing. The organization uses SAP S/4HANA and customer portals as core technologies for invoicing, account management, and collections activities. The work culture emphasizes work‑life balance, flexibility, and a supportive environment where many employees build long‑tenured careers. The team operates in a hybrid model, with employees in the office three days per week and the flexibility to choose in‑office days between Monday and Thursday; those who prefer can work fully in the office. The environment is professional, friendly, and relatively easygoing, with leadership that values flexibility for personal appointments and encourages a healthy balance between work and personal life. Dress code expectations align with a typical corporate office setting.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Eden Prairie, MN.
Pay and Benefits Pay range: $25.00 – $33.65 per hour.
Benefits
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long‑term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
EEO Statement The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
Accommodation Information If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
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Job Description The Senior Collections Specialist manages a portfolio of business-to-business customer accounts within the manufacturing and service industries, focusing on relationship-driven credit and collections rather than traditional third‑party collections. This role emphasizes proactive customer communication, timely resolution of invoicing and payment issues, and close collaboration with internal teams to improve billing, cash application, and dispute processes. Success is measured by invoice aging, effectiveness of customer interactions, management of credit holds, and overall portfolio performance, all while delivering a high level of customer service.
Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of customer accounts and oversee the full credit and collections lifecycle for those accounts.
Maintain a daily goal of approximately 25 customer contacts through a mix of phone and email, aiming to connect with at least 10 customers by phone each day.
Monitor, review, and follow up on invoices through customer portals and internal systems, including SAP, to ensure timely payment.
Expedite the resolution of unpaid customer accounts to minimize receivables while preserving strong customer relationships and goodwill.
Coordinate the resolution of customer disputes by working closely with internal departments and customer contacts.
Analyze customer account history directly with customers to identify issues, clarify balances, and agree on payment plans or resolutions.
Collaborate with internal teams such as billing, credit, and cash application to analyze and resolve customer issues with a focus on identifying and addressing root causes.
Contact customers promptly when new orders are placed on credit hold to resolve disputes, clarify terms, and expedite payments so orders can be released.
Participate in the credit approval process as needed, providing input based on account history and risk assessment.
Respond promptly and professionally to customer requests via phone and email, including processing credit card payments and requesting updates to customer master data.
Identify accounts that may require formal demand letters and elevate accounts that need handling by third‑party collection agencies in accordance with company policy.
Perform basic account reconciliations to ensure account accuracy and resolve discrepancies in balances or payment applications.
Work effectively with performance metrics, meeting weekly and monthly targets related to collections, contacts, and portfolio health.
Support continuous improvement efforts by sharing insights on recurring issues and suggesting process enhancements related to invoicing, disputes, and collections.
Essential Skills
At least 5 years of collections experience, ideally in a business‑to‑business environment.
Proven ability to handle high volumes of transactions and manage a large workload effectively.
Demonstrated comfort working with weekly and monthly performance metrics and targets.
Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with customers.
Experience working with aging reports and accounts receivable processes.
Ability to perform basic account reconciliations and analyze account history.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi‑task and prioritize in a fast‑paced environment.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for frequent phone and email interactions.
Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional internal teams such as billing, credit, and cash application.
Comfort working in a structured collections environment focused on portfolio management and invoice aging.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with SAP, particularly SAP S/4HANA, is a strong plus; training is available for candidates without SAP experience.
Background in the manufacturing and/or service industries is highly preferred.
Familiarity with customer portals for invoice review and payment tracking.
Experience analyzing and resolving customer disputes related to billing, invoicing, or payment application.
Understanding of credit holds, credit approval processes, and escalation procedures for delinquent accounts.
No specific formal education is required; relevant experience and skills are the primary focus.
Ability to contribute to root cause analysis and continuous improvement related to billing and collections processes.
Work Environment This role is based at a modern, newly built corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, designed specifically to support a large, collaborative Accounting and Finance organization. The company is a long‑established, publicly traded, global business with a history spanning nearly 150 years and a strong track record of stability and growth. The Senior Collections Specialist works on a team of approximately eight other collectors and sits alongside the Credit and Cash Application teams, fostering close collaboration and knowledge sharing. The organization uses SAP S/4HANA and customer portals as core technologies for invoicing, account management, and collections activities. The work culture emphasizes work‑life balance, flexibility, and a supportive environment where many employees build long‑tenured careers. The team operates in a hybrid model, with employees in the office three days per week and the flexibility to choose in‑office days between Monday and Thursday; those who prefer can work fully in the office. The environment is professional, friendly, and relatively easygoing, with leadership that values flexibility for personal appointments and encourages a healthy balance between work and personal life. Dress code expectations align with a typical corporate office setting.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Eden Prairie, MN.
Pay and Benefits Pay range: $25.00 – $33.65 per hour.
Benefits
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long‑term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
EEO Statement The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
Accommodation Information If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
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