Accounts Receivable Collection Specialist, Store Support Center, Lenexa, KS

Job Title:         Accounts Receivable Collection Specialist

Department:           Accounts Receivable

Reports To:             Manager/Accounts Receivable

Exemption Status:  Exempt (Salaried)

About Westlake Ace Hardware

Ace Retail Holdings, the division of Ace Hardware Corporation that owns and operates the Westlake Ace Hardware chain, is one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States. Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Westlake Ace Hardware has been in operation for over a century and operates over 150 neighborhood stores located throughout the United States.  Great people make Westlake stand out in our industry, and we are looking for individuals who strive for personal and professional growth, and who want to work with a company founded on (and still led by) our solid Core Values of:

Service, Passion, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence

General Job Summary

The Accounts Receivable Collection Specialist will support the team in the management and collection of overdue balances. This role will also understand and be able to assist with tasks in other areas of the department from time to time and be responsible for special projects based on the needs of our rapidly growing company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the department manager in order to be responsible for and make decisions regarding daily department workflow.
• Serve as contact for the credit and collections function.
• Understand process of applying payments to customer accounts.
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute A/R aging report.
• Monitor accounts and contact customers regarding past due balances.
• Make decisions regarding delinquent customer accounts and offer solutions for collection to protect the company from potential bad debts.
• Provide customer service regarding collection issues, processed payments, and resolve customer discrepancies.
• Understand the process of reviewing commercial charge applications and setting up customer accounts.
• Understand the sales tax exemption documents needed from customers for those states in which Westlake operates.
• Assist in the setup of customer data resulting from store acquisitions.
• Ability to coordinate with others regarding system and/or technical upgrades.
• Able to communicate A/R needs/issues with other departments and management.
• Other duties as assigned and time permits

Other Essential Requirements

Ability to exhibit and incorporate our Core Values into daily decisions and interactions with others:

• SERVICE – Amaze our customers, our associates and our communities by delivering on our helpful promise.
• PASSION – Showing our love for the work we do, our customers, and our associates.
• RESPECT – A humble appreciation that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes us a stronger and better company and that every person is unique and valued.
• INTEGRITY – An authentic commitment to moral and ethical behavior.
• TEAMWORK – Together we can achieve extraordinary things.
• EXCELLENCE– A disciplined approach to achieve outstanding results through continuous improvement.

Minimum Skills, Requirements and Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience
• Minimum of two years’ experience in Accounts Receivable, Collections, or Customer Service.
• Proficiency with MS Excel including the ability to work with and organize large amounts of data using pivot tables, vlookups and other Excel tools.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, in English.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• High degree of accuracy and detail oriented.
• Ability to display high level of professionalism and integrity.
• Proactive and solution-oriented with the ability to think creatively.
• Must have the ability to work both independently and on a team to complete multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be a self-starter with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Standing, walking, lifting (up to 25lbs.) and climbing.

Compensation Details

$60000 - $67000 / year

Equal Opportunity Employer
Westlake Ace Hardware is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military discharge, or any other action covered by federal or state laws.