Lead Collections Specialist

Description Join the Pack! Pet Food Experts is the #1 pet specialty distributor in the U.S., proudly serving more than 10,000 pet retailers nationwide. More than a distributor, we're a trusted partner to the independent pet community, helping retailers, brands, and pet parents thrive. We're looking for a Lead Collections Specialist to join our Accounting team and play a key role in supporting the financial health of our business. This position combines collections expertise, customer relationship management, risk assessment, and team leadership to help ensure healthy cash flow while maintaining strong partnerships with our customers. If you're analytical, confident in navigating difficult conversations, and enjoy solving complex challenges while building relationships, we'd love to hear from you. What You'll Do Lead Collections Strategy Help drive the overall health of our accounts receivable portfolio through proactive collections strategies and customer outreach. Prioritize high-risk and high-value accounts, ensuring collection efforts are focused where they can make the greatest impact. Support the team in securing payment commitments, resolving challenges, and maintaining strong customer relationships. Serve as an escalation point for complex collection situations and customer concerns. Manage Risk & Protect the Business Analyze accounts receivable aging reports and identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Evaluate customer creditworthiness and provide recommendations related to credit limits, account holds, and collection actions. Partner with leadership to make informed decisions that balance risk management with customer retention. Resolve Complex Issues Develop and manage payment arrangements for customers experiencing financial challenges. Collaborate with Sales, Customer Experience, Claims & Rewards, and other teams to investigate and resolve billing disputes, shipment discrepancies, and payment issues. Work cross-functionally to improve processes and remove barriers to timely payment. Drive Operational Excellence Ensure collection activities are documented accurately and consistently within company systems. Support auditing, reporting, and compliance efforts by maintaining detailed account records and documentation. Help develop and improve procedures that create consistency, efficiency, and accountability across the collections process. Support Team Development & Improvement Initiatives Share knowledge and best practices with team members. Assist with training, process improvement projects, reporting initiatives, and system enhancements. Look for opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen cash flow performance. What We're Looking For 4+ years of B2B collections experience, preferably within a wholesale, distribution, or product-based environment. Strong understanding of accounts receivable, credit management, and collection best practices. Proven ability to negotiate payment resolutions while maintaining positive customer relationships. Experience evaluating customer financial information and assessing risk. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Advanced proficiency with Excel and ERP systems. Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Why Pet Food Experts? At Pet Food Experts, our values guide everything we do: Family. Inclusion. Dependability. Curiosity. Humility. We believe great business starts with great relationships. As a Lead Collections Specialist, you'll play an important role in supporting our customers, protecting the business, and helping ensure we can continue delivering exceptional service to the independent pet community. If you're looking for an opportunity to make an impact, build strong partnerships, and help drive business success, we'd love to meet you. The Perks of Being Part of the PFX Pack! We know that happy, supported employees make the best teammates—so we’ve got you covered with some seriously great benefits! Full Benefits Package – Medical, dental, and vision to keep you feeling your best. Paid Parental Leave – Supporting you in every stage of life—furry babies and human ones! Pet Perks & Product Discounts – Treat your pets like royalty with exclusive savings. Hybrid Schedule – The best of both worlds—flexibility to work from home and collaborate in the office. Education Assistance Program – Invest in yourself, and we’ll help with the cost! Pet Food Experts is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military status, or any protected characteristic. All employment offers are contingent on passing a criminal background check.