Sr A/R and Collections Specialist

Senior Accounts Receivable And Collections Specialist

We're on a mission to bring learning to life! Across our family of companies—Learning Resources®, Educational Insights, and hand2mind—we create children's toys, pet toys, educational products, and supplemental curriculum trusted by teachers and loved by families. As a growing, family-owned business and a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace, we are dedicated to helping kids succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. If you're curious, collaborative, and a kid at heart, you'll feel right at home here. Join us in shaping the future of learning with our award-winning team!

We are currently seeking a Senior Accounts Receivable and Collections Specialist to join our Shared Services Accounting team! This team supports some of our most visible and fast‑growing customer channels, including Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, Target, and other major retail and omnichannel partners. What makes this role exciting is the opportunity to manage complex, high‑volume accounts while partnering cross‑functionally with Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, and Finance. This position offers meaningful ownership, exposure to large national retailers, and the ability to directly impact cash flow, process efficiency, and customer relationships. A strong performer in this role will thrive in a dynamic environment that values accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

What you'll do day to day:

• Own end‑to‑end accounts receivable management for a portfolio of high‑volume, high‑visibility e‑commerce and retail customers (including Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, and Target) by monitoring AR aging, proactively following up on past‑due balances, and supporting DSO targets.
• Apply and reconcile customer payments across multiple methods while managing retailer‑specific payment requirements, deductions, and EDI or portal processes.
• Maintain accurate AR documentation in the ERP system to support audit readiness while serving as the primary customer contact to resolve payment issues, disputes, and balances.
• Investigate and resolve unapplied cash, short payments, overpayments, and other discrepancies through remittance and transaction analysis while performing detailed account reconciliations and supporting month‑end close with balance validation, variance analysis, and audit‑ready documentation.
• Track, research, and resolve chargebacks, shortage claims, and pricing discrepancies, particularly with Amazon and other complex retail or marketplace partners—by preparing and submitting disputes, following up on open claims, and tracking recoveries to maximize cash collection.
• Partner cross‑functionally to resolve root‑cause issues impacting collections and chargebacks/deductions while identifying AR trends, risks, and process improvements across e‑commerce and retail channels.
• Analyze customer payment behavior and account standing to recommend or process credit hold releases in accordance with established credit policies
• Support process improvement initiatives related to cash application automation, dispute tracking, reporting, and overall AR efficiency
• Participate in internal and external audits by providing account support, reconciliations, and clear explanations of AR activity and controls

What we're looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

• Accurate and Timely Cash Application Customer payments across lockbox, ACH, wire, and credit card are applied accurately and on time, with minimal unapplied cash and prompt resolution of exceptions or discrepancies.
• Effective Dispute and Deduction Resolution Retailer deductions, chargebacks, shortages, and pricing disputes—particularly for major e‑commerce partners—are investigated, submitted, tracked, and resolved efficiently, resulting in strong recovery rates and reduced open dispute aging.
• Healthy AR Portfolio and DSO Performance Assigned e‑commerce and retail accounts are actively managed to maintain healthy AR aging, minimize past‑due balances, and support departmental DSO targets through proactive follow‑up and issue resolution.
• Reliable Account Reconciliations and Close Support Customer accounts are well‑reconciled, accurately documented, and audit‑ready, supporting a timely month‑end close and providing clear explanations for reconciling items and variances.
• Strong Cross‑Functional Partnership and Process Improvement AR issues are resolved efficiently through effective collaboration with Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, and Finance, while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance cash application, dispute management, and reporting processes.

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
• 6+ years of B2B accounts receivable and collections experience, preferably supporting Mass Retail and e‑commerce customers
• 3+ years of hands‑on cash application experience (lockbox, ACH, wire)
• Demonstrated experience working with Amazon, Walmart, Target, TikTok Shop, or similar large retailers
• Strong understanding of deductions, chargebacks, shortages, and dispute resolution
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations)
• Experience with D365 (Dynamics 365) or similar ERP systems preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact across all levels of the organization
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $33.00 - $34.50 per hour – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).