Credit And Collection Specialist

Berlin Packaging is the nation's premier supplier of rigid packaging and packaging components. With over $3 billion in revenue, we are growing 5x faster than the overall packaging industry.

Don’t know what makes the rigid packaging industry special? Well, chances are you enjoy products supplied by Berlin Packaging every day!Imagine yourself walking into your favorite big-box store. Take a mental look around and think about every glass, plastic, or metal package you see. Berlin Packaging touches virtually every market: automotive, beverage, food, home care, industrial chemical, pet care and veterinary, personal health and beauty, wine and spirits, and now, cannabis too. 

Next, combine that with an award-winning culture. Our 2,000+ employees are high-performing - and importantly, collaborative - entrepreneurs who blow through obstacles and embody an “Anything is Possible!” mindset. We love it here. Our engagement scores are 2x the national average. And every single employee shares in Berlin’s profitable growth.

Now you understand why since1898, our 100+ year-old company has grown 5x faster than our industry!  And we're not done yet.

In order to continue our record growth streak, we need people like YOU to join our team! Are you up for the opportunity of a lifetime? If so, we are seeking a driven and successful Credit and Collections Specialist who will manage the company’s financial risk of extending credit and ensure customers adhere to payment terms, while building and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external customers. Maintain the AR Ledger, perform all cash application functions.

Key Accountabilities: 

• Manage credit and collection activities for portfolio of business unit(s) including processing new credit applications by reviewing credit data and approving credit limits for new and existing customers up to $350K.
• Ensure compliance of payment terms, timely dispute resolution, and perform account reconciliation by reviewing aging reports weekly. Schedule frequent communication with sales and operations to coordinate plan for corrective action. Address delinquent payments by contacting external customers and working with internal customers for dispute resolution. Monitor for signs of financial problems and report to immediate manager an action plan to mitigate risk.
• Prepare and follow through with payment schedules for customers who are in need of temporary extended payment
• Validate orders, which are placed on hold by operating system at the time of order entry.
• Ensure credit exposure for ongoing customers are maintained within their approved limits. Build new and strengthen relationships with customers, both internal and external.
• Maintain current information on existing customers in credit files.
• Prepare monthly reports of past due accounts and other various reports as required.
• Recommend and implement credit and operational processes & procedures for continuous improvements by collaborating with various departments including leveraging technology where appropriate.
• Provide accurate customer trade references.
• Promote sales growth by using discretion and professional judgement to prevent credit & collection efforts from adversely affecting customer relations.
• Prepare credit related training materials and conduct training sessions for credit and sales personnel.
• Assist direct manager with integration activities as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
• Collection, Validation and uploading/saving of customer sales tax exemption certificates.

Cash Application

• Post daily deposits, electronic payments, NSF checks, remote check deposits, short-pay adjustments and write-offs in a timely and accurate manner.
• Compile a daily bank deposit summary for distribution to the Credit and Accounting teams.
• Communicate and distribute short/over payment documentation to assigned AR analysts.
• Investigate and resolve non-matching payment issues.
• Assist in the reconciliation of AR transactions (billings, checks, EFT payments, and credit card transactions recorded in the company’s ERP to the bank lockbox and records).
• Provide additional support to the Accounting Department as needed as it relates to month-end closing, financial audits, and other special projects as needed.
• Assist with the reconciliation of AR transactions recorded in PeopleSoft to the bank lockbox/deposit advice, including credit card transaction.
• Fulfill employee portion of the “Berlin T-Chart”.
• Other duties assigned by manager.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:  

• Bachelor’s degree in business or finance or the equivalent experience.

• 3-5 years of commercial credit and collection experience.

• Fluent in speaking and understanding both the French and English language.

• Basic Accounting, Financial Statement, and bankruptcy knowledge.

• Strong negotiator.

• Exceptional follow-up skills, attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and possesses a high sense of urgency

• Basic/Intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

• Ability to communicate to large audiences.

• Ability to motivate credit team members

• Outstanding written and verbal communicator.

• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft software system.

• Strong business judgment and knowledge of credit and collection tools and techniques.

• Knowledge of secured transactions.

• International Credit experience a plus.

• Interpersonal effectiveness and time management skills.  Must be able to work independently as well as in a group setting with minimal supervision.

Working Environment:  

• Office environment. Limited travel required.

We recruit traits, not skills. We believe in hiring smart, passionate people who are thirsty for knowledge and enthusiastic to learn and develop their skills. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Berlin Packaging offers an outstanding compensation and benefits package including  the 1Berlin Shared Ownership Plan, profit sharing, 401(k) with company match, medical insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, health club reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, 529 college savings plan, employee assistance, smoking cessation program, pet insurance, employee discounts, employee referral program, and flexible spending accounts for transportation, medical, and dependent care expenses.

Berlin Packaging provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Visit our Careers page for more information on our Anything is Possible culture and Total Rewards offerings.

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

*Berlin Packaging maintains a smoke-free workplace.

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