Current jobs related to Dir, Finance - Long Beach - American President Lines

Location: Long Beach, CA, US

APL, one of the world's leading ocean carriers, offers more than 90 weekly services and call ports in over 50 countries worldwide and provides container transportation through an international shipping network which combines high-quality intermodal operations with advanced technology, equipment, and e-commerce. APL is part of the CMA CGM Group, a leading worldwide shipping & logistics group with headquarters in Marseilles, France.

Summary Description

This position is responsible for managing collections of CMA CGM Group revenues in USWC and monitor staff being OCU and non-OCU, reduce DSO, past due, and risk exposure. Work in close relation with Labor Relations Management to ensure compliance with existing regulations and agreements to optimize process and team efficiency. Maintain and implement dynamic strategies and working processes, accelerate revenues, collections and dispute resolution, and more globally continuous performance improvements including root causes for delayed collection. Contact and negotiate with customers when non-payment occurs. Prepare feedback reports to Management on collections, delays, issues, and action plans and ensure company policies are followed and are in line with state and federal regulations. Monitor 3rd party Collections Agencies activities. Finalize the wind down of certain APL Entities in coordination with Singapore. Participate in ad hoc finance projects. Travel across the US as needed.

Key Accountabilities/Job Duties

• Manage and prioritize all collection efforts and risk mitigation activities across the business units in the US. Set payment collection goals and targets for the department. Contacting and negotiating with customers in cases when non-payment occurs.
• Maintain and implement dynamic strategy to improve the collection. Develop and implement collections processes, tools, and credit policies that improve the daily operations of the collections teams, resulting in accelerating collection.
• Train non-OCU staff member and mentor staff members.
• Partner and business liaison on discrepancy resolution, identify problems and direct solutions with frequent contact with all levels of the Company including Sales, Customer Service, Billing, and dispute team Accounting, and Management.
• Prepare feedback reports to Management on collections, delays, issues, risks, and action plans: Communicate regularly with Management to ensure awareness and involvement in key collection issues.
• Maintain and develop performance dashboard for each team member and provide recommendations to Sr. Management to optimize global performance.
• Actively engage legal teams to manage high-risk relationships and minimize litigation exposure. Ensure company policy on recoveries is followed and in line with state and federal regulations.
• Oversee prioritization of DDSM & Freight dispute resolution efforts. Negotiate with customers to achieve agreement on dispute resolution outcome.
• Develop and implement dynamic strategy to improve both DDSM & Freight dispute resolution process. Implement dispute resolution tools and processes that improve the productivity of the dispute teams and accelerate the dispute resolution process and improve collection efforts.
• Report to executive management on dispute resolution delays, issues, risks, and action plans.
• Collaborate with various business partners on re-invoicing DDSM and Freight bills to ensure adherence to company policy and alignment with federal regulations.
• Develop and implement dynamic strategy to improve accounts payable processing.
• Oversee Inbound Storage guarantees for LA/Long Beach terminals.
• Develop and implement dynamic strategy to reduce violations in terms of the Collective Bargaining agreement for the Finance Department. Liaise with Labor Relations Management and cross-functional leadership to identify direct solutions and integrate them into process improvements.
• Ensure that the Finance Department is staffed with a proper level of competency and adequate system access to deliver on internal and external requirements.
• Miscellaneous related duties or projects as assigned.

Skill Sets / Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of knowledge of the shipping industry and respective duties/routines.
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of Collections analytics and operations. Understanding of operational and regulatory risks associated with current industry practices and trends.
• Possess a high level of subject matter expertise in functional areas supported with an advanced ability to conceptualize, and design new methods for practical application.
• Thorough knowledge of collection related laws. Demonstrates sound knowledge of Credit & Collection Application systems and workflows.
• Must possess strong business acumen with a good understanding of service contracts, basic Tariff knowledge with the ability to interpret rate tariffs and agreements, bill of lading and shipping documents.
• The ability to work accurately and independently.
• Excellent analytical skills and an eye for detail.
• Outstanding leadership and managerial skills.
• Ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Ability to interpret rate tariffs and agreements, bill of lading and shipping documents.
• Proven track record of optimizing portfolio risk and minimizing bad debt by establishing intelligent collections processes, reducing A/R delinquency, and improving cash flow.
• Comfortable making decisions supporting change and recommending new approaches to the way we monitor collections and reduce risks.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to influence corporate direction working closely with senior management.
• Possess strong communication skills. Detail-oriented and maintains the highest productivity and quality levels.
• Strong leadership, team building, people management skills.
• Strong time management and organization skills.
• Ability to work well with all levels of management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint, required.
• Must be analytical, have great report writing skills and continuously find ways to improve the company’s debt recovery.

APL is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. Alternative application methods are available for individuals who are unable to use or access our online application system. For assistance, please contact us at Applicant_Assistance@apl.com.