About the position
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward. The Finance and Accounting organization is a mission and results driven team that operates with a strong sense of collaboration to support the business, while utilizing our technical expertise, as we manage processes to record, reconcile, and report all financial activity of the enterprise. We bring financial context into the picture when partnering with the lines of business, senior and executive management, and our board of directors. The opportunity: The AR Analyst will actively manage an A/R portfolio of non-standard complex aged transactions and focus on root cause analysis, identification, and resolution to drive working capital and customer payment performance optimization. This role handles significant high volumes of transactions which require fast decision making and a self-starter requiring minimal supervision. This is a critical role in reducing Accounts Receivable exposure by ensuring assigned portfolio is proactively monitored, and issue resolution efforts are prompt, effective and according to company policy and procedures. This role is responsible for supporting and reporting key performance indicators as well as supporting the development and execution of Invoice to Cash operation strategies, projects, and initiatives. The AR Analyst is ultimately tasked with driving and reporting on the reduction of the company's exposure risk within acceptable levels. The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to excellence, initiative, innovation, adaptability, and teamwork.
Responsibilities
- Proactively monitor AR aging for assigned accounts and take ownership by systemically reviewing, escalating, and triaging vendor discrepancies and follow-through to resolution, including executive-level communication
- Collaborate with and influence upstream business partners to resolve complex problems & escalations and drive to resolution.
- Develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships with internal/external stakeholders to help maximize performance, quality, and service.
- Interact professionally and to a high degree of integrity with internal/external stakeholders and at all organizational levels.
- Analyze data and information quickly and proficiently leveraging data from numerous databases and internal tools to perform reporting and analysis.
- Evaluate accounts for risk of non-collection and make recommendations to management & credit team for credit hold, payment plans or bad debt reserves.
- Initiate and lead a collaborative and coordinated effort with business partners to address collection issues, barriers and escalations driving towards a timely resolution.
- Lead efforts to dive deep into customer account data, drive process improvements, standardize processes, and eliminate root-cause issues.
- Support the execution of special projects and ad-hoc analyses as requested by management or based on need within the organization within defined timelines.
- Continuously develop and enhance skills through ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
- Subject Matter Expert for critical department processes.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum 5+ years prior experience working in AR, Accounting, Finance, or similar function within Order to Cash.
- Minimum 5+ years of experience working with large corporate ERP (JDE or SAP experience preferred).
- Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills (vlookup, xlookup, pivot tables) & proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with reporting/analytic software preferred (Qlik, Alteryx, PowerBI).
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills with ability to work independently.
- Strong understanding of Order to Cash transaction lifecycle.
- General understanding of SOX audit requirements in a publicly traded company.
Benefits
- Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
- Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
- An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
- A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work
