Senior Credit & Collections Accountant

About the role

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments. Protecting people and the environment, and optimizing industrial processes - that is what drives us at Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. We serve our automotive, consumer goods and industrial customers with technically leading products, system solutions, services and consulting in air and liquid filtration. As part of the Freudenberg Group, strong corporate values guide us in our aspiration for innovation, efficiency and highest customer focus. With a dedicated team of around 3,500 colleagues, we generate an annual turnover of about 670 million euros. Durham, NC Hybrid Work Freudenberg Residential Filtration Technologies Inc. You support our team as Senior Credit & Collections Accountant.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Receivable & Credit Management: Lead all accounts receivable, credit, collections, dispute resolution, and customer credit activities across assigned business units.
• Cash Flow & Working Capital Performance: Drive improvements in DSO, overdue receivables, dispute aging, and bad debt while supporting cash forecasting and liquidity objectives.
• Credit Risk & Compliance: Establish and enforce credit policies, approval authorities, and risk controls; serve as the primary liaison for audits, legal matters, and credit-related governance.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Optimize and automate AR processes, controls, reporting, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience.
• Business Partnership: Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve receivable issues, influence customer terms, and support profitable growth.
• Team Leadership: Provide functional leadership to AR and Collections teams, establishing clear performance expectations, KPIs, and development plans.
• Transformation & Change Management: Lead AR-related system implementations, process enhancements, and organizational initiatives while driving adoption of new tools and best practices across the business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Credit, Collections, and Accounts Receivable within a high-volume business environment.
• Proven success leading AR transformation initiatives, including process improvement, automation, and systems optimization.
• Experience working within a shared services environment, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results across functions.
• Demonstrated track record of improving cash flow, reducing past-due receivables, and minimizing bad debt exposure.
• Strong knowledge of credit risk assessment, customer credit management, and collections strategies.
• Advanced experience with ERP systems and AR processes; SAP preferred.
• Proficient in AR reporting, analytics, KPI development, and dashboard creation.
• Experience leveraging automation and digital tools to improve AR efficiency and controls.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and credit management software.
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies; Green Belt certification preferred.

Benefits

• 401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We focus on providing an inclusive environment and recognize our diversity contributes to our success.
• International Opportunities: Grow in your career through international exchange and global job opportunities.
• Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.
• Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.