Finance Operations Specialist (Entry Level)

This role in summary

Whirlpool is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Specialist, Finance Operations.

The position does not offer remote or alternative work arrangements.  This position is located at Whirlpool’s Global Headquarters in Southwest Michigan and is required to be in office 5 days per week. 

Business Unit Services Specialist will foster relationships with trade partners supporting Whirlpool's vision to be the best kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. This position will be responsible for Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable.

Accounts Payable is responsible for managing the Procure-to-Pay process, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of reporting and controls involving Finance processes to ensure operational excellence. This includes supporting accurate applications of vendor credits and payments, performing deep root-cause analysis of any payment issues and preparing reports to share those results with internal partners, problem resolution and driving continuous improvement through process enhancements, identifying and reconciling disputed amounts and initiating debit or credit memos for discrepancy resolution. In this position, you'll have the opportunity to interface with external vendors and internal procurement, logistics, and finance teams to optimize cash flow and maintain a healthy supply chain.

Accounts Receivable is responsible for managing the order to cash process consisting of credit, collection, debit management and customer relations for a portfolio of accounts. This includes identifying and reconciling disputed amounts, problem resolution, initiating debit and credit memos for discrepancy resolution, providing project leadership to improve departmental cash flow.  In this position, you'll have the opportunity to interface with trade customers, sales, logistics, and order entry and deployment functions to develop plans and processes to ensure relationships optimize sales and cash flow.

This entry-level position within Whirlpool’s Business Unit Services provides career opportunities for upward mobility.

No relocation assistance or Visa Sponsorship available.

Your responsibilities will include

• Manage accounts, monitor credit worthiness of trade partners, support processes

• Support order approval guidelines

• Apply root-cause analysis of credit/payment issues

• Prepare and report results of analysis

• Manage reporting and controls involving Finance processes

• Support payment and approval guidelines

• Perform risk management on critical past due situations

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration

• 1+ years of Accounting experience (experience may include internships, co-ops or academics)

Preferred skills and experiences

• The ability to identify and implement process improvements, prepare and analyze data to provide meaningful recommendations to leadership.

• Excellent computer skills on a wide range of applications such as Excel, Word, Power Point, SAP, Google, etc.

• Experience in order management, credit, and collections with emphasis on internal routines such as cash application, claims, accounting, letters of credit, bankruptcy, and the Uniform Commercial Code, and an understanding of the Sales and Logistics (Reverse Logistics) areas.

• Experience in supplier management and invoice processing with emphasis on internal routines 

• Excellent communicator, possess good analytical and problem solving skills, act independently and negotiate win-win solutions with a wide range of customers and internal Whirlpool process partners.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills.

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day.  We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed. 

• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.

• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.