Accounts Receivable and Collections Lead
Nuevo Laredo, MX, 88275
About the position
The AR & Collections Lead is accountable for cash collection performance across the NA legal entities. This is an active collections management role – the focus is on driving customer follow-up, past-due reduction and dispute resolution, not on transactional billing/data entry alone.
The Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead is responsible for leading the North America Accounts Receivable and Collections function, driving cash flow optimization, reducing overdue receivables, improving DSO performance, and ensuring effective dispute resolution across all NA legal entities. The role provides operational leadership to the AR team while partnering with Sales, Customer Service, Treasury, Plant Controllers, and Finance leadership to maximize cash collection and working capital performance.
Responsibilities
- Lead, supervise and develop a team of four (4) AR & Collections Specialists: portfolio allocation by customer/plant, collection targets, performance reviews, coaching, cross-training and backup coverage.
- Own the NA collections strategy: proactive, systematic follow-up of all open receivables, prioritized by aging and customer risk, with documented collection actions and committed payment dates in the ERP system.
- Chair the weekly aging review: action plan per past-due account, root-cause identification (billing errors, disputes, deductions, customer process issues) and escalation to Sales, Plant Controllers and the Finance Director as required.
- Drive measurable reduction of past-due AR and improvement of DSO / Net Working Capital; own cash collection targets and the weekly cash receipts forecast feeding the free cash flow forecast.
- Lead resolution of customer deductions and disputes (pricing, quantity, quality, warranty, tariff-related), coordinating cross-functionally until credit/debit resolution and cash recovery.
- Follow up tariff and other cost-recovery billings to customers through to cash collection.
- Manage customer OEM portals (self-billing, remittances, disputes) and ensure billing accuracy and timeliness of system-generated invoices.
- Ensure accurate and timely cash application, posting payments, adjustments and credit memos; minimize unapplied cash.
- Monitor and report AR KPIs (DSO, % past due, disputes aging, unapplied cash, collection effectiveness) under the SSC KPI framework, drive corrective actions.
- Oversee AR intercompany reconciliations and FEBAN reconciliation / Treasury open items application for incoming payments.
- Validate sales prices in SAP and coordinate correction of pricing discrepancies with Sales and Customer Service
- Monitor customer credit exposure, credit limits and financial risk indicators in collaboration with Plant Controllers, Treasury and Finance leadership; recommend actions to mitigate credit risk and bad debt exposure.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or Business Administration.
- Minimum five (5) years of credit & collections / accounts receivable experience in a manufacturing environment (automotive/OEM customer base strongly preferred), including at least two (2) years supervising a team.
- Demonstrated collections track record: past-due reduction, DSO improvement and dispute/deduction resolution – a results-driven, persistent and customer-facing profile, comfortable making collection calls and escalating firmly but professionally.
- Proven people-leadership skills: ability to set targets, coach, develop and hold a team accountable for collection results.
- Experience with OEM customer portals (self-billing, remittances, deduction management) highly desirable.
- Strong SAP knowledge (FI-AR, credit management) and advanced Excel (aging analysis, dashboards).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret financial data and develop action plans.
- Experience developing KPI dashboards using SAP, Excel, Power BI, or comparable reporting tools preferred.
- Strong negotiation, communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English).
What we offer
- Professional growth and career development opportunities within the organization.
- Continuous training and learning in manufacturing processes and technologies.
- Participation in strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
- A professional, collaborative, and results-driven work environment.
- Benefits superior to those required by law.
- Job stability and a defined career path.
Application / Contact
If this sounds interesting and likely the right challenge for you, we look forward to receiving your application!
Please register your CV/resume and cover letter.
Within your application, please inform us regarding your notice period and salary expectations.
The applications will be handled on an ongoing basis and the position may be filled before the application deadline date.
We want your integrity, accountability, creativity and teamwork mindset and skills
At Kongsberg Automotive, we believe that results and progress are driven by strong teamwork and powerful collaboration - between competent individuals with strong work ethics and a passion to make a difference. We offer a workplace built on mutual respect, continuous learning, and collaboration across teams and borders.
If you're looking for an environment where your ideas are valued and your contribution matters, we encourage you to apply. Join us and be part of an exciting company with strong legacy and culture - that is part of shaping the future of the global automotive industry.
We look forward to hearing from you.