Lead Credit and Collections Analyst

Hawkins, Inc.; Roseville (MN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP)

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability (LTD)

Job summary

Hawkins, Inc. is seeking a Lead Credit and Collections Analyst to manage credit risk, guide collections, and maintain AR data. You will lead day-to-day Credit and Collections activities, mentor staff, and partner with cross-functional teams to improve systems and controls.

Strong analytical and communication skills are essential. The role emphasizes SOX controls and compliance, with a focus on accurate reporting and process improvements across the department.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in credit, collections, AR, or related areas.
• Strong credit analysis, risk assessment, and collections knowledge.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Leadership or mentoring experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• JD Edwards experience preferred.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams.
• Process improvement mindset.
• Professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy and compliance focus.

Responsibilities

• Credit review: establish/maintain customer credit accounts.
• Assess credit risk using financial data and reports.
• Monitor credit exposure and recommended actions.
• Review accounts over credit limits and act accordingly.
• Manage credit holds and policy-based resolutions.
• Guide on complex credit decisions and issues.
• Escalate significant credit concerns.
• Ensure coverage for credit and collections activities.
• Resolve billing discrepancies and disputes.
• Collaborate with Sales to resolve balances.
• Perform collections on assigned accounts.
• Monitor delinquent accounts and suggest actions.
• Assess bad debt reserves and write-offs as needed.
• Assist with reconciliations and complex balances.
• Prepare and analyze AR reports for decision making.
• Identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting for the team.
• Maintain accurate customer account records.
• Update records and tax information as needed.
• Ensure records comply with procedures.
• Build strong relationships with customers and partners.
• Respond to inquiries with solutions-focused approach.
• Handle vendor forms and management approvals.
• Support requests for insurance, credit, and accounts data.
• Be a resource on credit policies and accounts.

Skills

Credit analysis

Risk assessment

Collections processes

Leadership

Team collaboration

Communication

Organization

Time management

Process improvement

Confidentiality & compliance

Tools

JD Edwards

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Credit and Collections Analyst assesses customer credit risk, supports collections activities, maintains accurate accounts receivable information, and provides reporting and analysis. The role also resolves complex account issues and serves as a primary resource for credit and collections matters.

As a team lead, this position provides day-to-day leadership and guidance, supports process improvements, assists with acquisitions, and partners with cross-functional teams to improve systems and processes. The role ensures compliance with company policies, SOX controls, and accounting procedures while promoting efficient and consistent department operations.

Duties And Responsibilities

Credit Review and Analysis

• Establish and maintain customer credit accounts.
• Evaluate financial information, credit reports, payment history, and other available data to assess credit risk and establish credit limits.
• Monitor customer credit exposure and identify potential risks.
• Review accounts exceeding credit limits and recommend appropriate actions.
• Manage credit holds and ensure timely resolution in accordance with company policies.
• Provide guidance on complex credit decisions and account issues.
• Escalate significant credit concerns or unusual account activity.
• Help ensure appropriate department coverage for credit and collections activities.

Collections and Accounts Receivable

• Research and resolve billing discrepancies, disputes, and invoice issues.
• Partner with customers and Sales to resolve outstanding balances and payment concerns.
• Perform collection activities on assigned accounts and assist with escalated matters.
• Monitor delinquent accounts and recommend appropriate collection actions.
• Evaluation and recommend bad debt reserves, write-offs, and third-party collection referrals.
• Assist with account reconciliations and resolution of complex account balances.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare, maintain , and analyze credit and accounts receivable reports.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement through data analysis.
• Provide reporting and recommendations to support credit decisions and departmental objectives.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, timely, and meaningful.

Customer Record Maintenance

• Maintain accurate customer account information within company systems.
• Update customer records, sales tax information, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure customer records comply with company procedures.

Customer Service and Cross-Functional Support

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal business partners.
• Respond promptly to customers and internal inquiries with a solutions-oriented focus.
• Complete customer vendor forms and obtain appropriate management approval.
• Support customer requests for insurance, credit, and account information.
• Serve as a resource to internal partners on credit policies, customer accounts, and credit and collections related matters.

Team Leadership and Department Support

• Serve as a day-to-day lead and resource for the team.
• Train, mentor, and support team members to promote consistent, high-quality performance.
• Assist in prioritizing workloads and meeting department deadlines.
• Provide backup support across department functions.
• Participate in special projects and department initiatives.
• Promote adherence to credit policies, procedures, and best practices.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Identify and implement improvements to credit, collections, account maintenance, and reporting processes.
• Lead process-improvement initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on JD Edwards system enhancements, issue resolution, and process improvements.
• Recommend changes that improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, and customer service.
• Support the development, documentation, and implementation of standardized procedures and best practices.

Acquisitions

• Support customer setup, credit, and collections activities related to business acquisitions, including integration into company systems and processes.
• Assist with the review, conversion, and maintenance of customer credit information.
• Identify and communicate credit, collections, and account-related issues during and after integration.

Compliance and Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with SOX requirements, accounting policies, and company procedures.
• Follow and maintain documented internal controls for assigned processes.
• Report control deficiencies or policy deviations to management.
• Maintain documentation necessary to support internal and external audits.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in credit, collections, accounts receivable, or related areas.
• Strong understanding of credit analysis, risk assessment, and collections processes.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Leadership or mentoring experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and respond to changing business needs.
• JD Edwards experience preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with customers and internal teams.
• Proven process improvement mindset.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy and compliance focus.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel

No Travel Required

Expected Compensation:

$33 - $38/hour + 5% bonus eligibility

Hawkins offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive benefits, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD/STD and more. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) match, Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP), paid time off, and paid holidays.

For more information on Hawkins benefits, visit: https://www.hawkinsinc.com/careers/benefits/

All applications must be received online. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Hawkins is a Drug Free workplace.