AR/Cash Applications Associate

Lipari Foods is looking for an AR Cash Applications Associate to join our team at our corporate office in Warren, Michigan. We seek a driven team member with customer service and continuous improvement mindset.

This position is responsible for ensuring accurate cash application of checks received in the mail, the lockbox, payments made through ACH deposit, credit card payments and payments made through route delivery to the appropriate customer accounts and may involve direct customer interaction when questions arise. This is an important role within the organization that will ensure customer accounts are accurately maintained so orders are not erroneously held up, improving both internal and external customer satisfaction and optimizing operational efficiency. This position will work closely and partner with the collection teams, as well as interfacing with our external customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process and apply check payments received in the lockbox or through our PO Box against customer accounts in our AS400 system.
• Research and reconcile payment discrepancies, which may involve reviewing historic data, contacting the customer to validate information, working with the collections and/or transportation teams.
• Reconciliation of daily cash postings between internal systems and the bank.
• Support new processes being implemented either through testing or reconciliation.
• Ability and willingness to learn all roles within the department and assist the team achieve daily goals.
• Assist with enhancing existing policies and procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement.
• Engage directly with internal customers and/or cross-functionally when issues need to be escalated in a timely and professional manner.
• Participate in the value stream mapping process and assist in the prioritization, development, implementation, documentation and training of new processes.

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Prior experience with cash applications, accounts receivable or collections a plus
• Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office products (Excel)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail and highly organized with the ability to proactively identify and solve problems
• Collaborative, team player, and self-starter
• Ability to build solid relationships and establish credibility across all levels of the organization and externally

About Lipari:

Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Lipari Foods is a leading independent distributor built around global and specialty foods. With a customer-first mindset, they serve customers through 67 depots across 32 states and growing. Lipari brings the world's most craveable flavors to shelf with an end-to-end approach that combines exclusive and owned brands, retail services, innovative tools, and dependable delivery across 10 categories including deli, bakery, frozen/dairy, specialty grocery, international specialty, meat/seafood, packaging, confections, foodservice/prepared foods, and convenience.