Accounting Specialist

THE COMPANY

Website: www.nielsenmassey.com

Nielsen-Massey is a leader in the specialty foods world, specifically in the production and marketing of the world’s finest vanillas and flavors. The company operates a branded consumer goods business (CPG/B2C) as well as a business-to-business (B2B) ingredient and flavor business. The portfolio includes various forms of pure and natural vanilla ingredients, extracts, pastes, and powders plus other flavor extracts including: lemon, almond, chocolate, coffee, peppermint, and rosewater to wholesale, culinary, and industrial customers throughout the world. The global headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility are in Waukegan, Illinois, with an additional plant in the Netherlands. The brand is well established with culinary professionals and big branded players as the premiere vanilla brand in the marketplace while the next phase of growth will come from expanding the brand to a broader base of consumers via an aggressive retail and eCommerce strategy as well as diversifying and expanding the ingredient and flavor business.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas (NMV) was founded in 1907 and is still owned by three members of the Nielsen family, who work as senior executives at the company. The fiduciary Board is composed of a majority of independent directors as well as the three family shareholders. The four independent members all have CEO experience in a variety of industries, including CPG, eCommerce and Industrial/ Manufacturing.

The Company is committed to sustaining the plants, people and communities that supply their ingredients. Since 1907, NMV has demonstrated its commitment to civic and social responsibility. The company’s Community Relations initiatives encompass three main objectives: building relationships with the communities in which they live and work; showing their commitment through financial contributions to charities in support of education, youth, veterans and the environment, actively promoting volunteer service among their employees -- and demonstrating as a team that they make a difference.

NMV supports approximately 18 organizations that represent their mission-driven values. They published their first annual “Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibilities Report” in 2018. Some past ESG programs include the funding of a new Malagasy school and the construction of a solar-powered water pump in the Madagascar Village that grows Nielsen-Massey’s fair-trade vanilla.

In 2009, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation was founded with a mission to assist disadvantaged children and adults with education and leadership development, especially in the field of culinary arts. The Foundation also considers requests for assistance in the development of sustainable environmental practices or for programs benefiting people in countries of need. The Foundation’s board of directors consists of Craig, Beth and Matt Nielsen—third-generation owners of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas—and their mother, Camilla.

Throughout its more than 110-year history as a family business, NMV is proudly and fully committed to the ethical manner in it conducts business, including how employees and customers are treated. As a company, NMV remains committed to honesty and integrity, as well as openness and respect for the rights and interests of its employees. Employees are “treated like family,” in particular, with generous health care benefits.

OPPORTUNITY

Position: Accounting Specialist (AP)

Reports to: Accounting Supervisor

Location: Remote - Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Position Summary:

This is an entry level position. The Accounting Specialist will have primary responsibility for computing, classifying, recording, and verifying numerical data for use in maintaining accounting records by performing the following duties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set up new vendors in the system; verifies banking information according to the company policies & procedures;
• Update, maintain and manage various spreadsheets to match ERP records;
• Compiles and sorts documents, such as invoices, Po’s and checks, substantiating business transactions.
• Verifies and posts details of business transactions, such as funds received and disbursed, and totals accounts to ledgers or computer spreadsheets and databases.
• Audits invoices against purchase orders, researches discrepancies, and approves payment.
• Investigates problems that vendors or purchasing agents have with obtaining payment for bills.
• Computes and records bills, invoices, charges, refunds, cost of lost or damaged goods, freight charges, rentals, and similar items.
• Prepares vouchers, invoices, checks, account statements, reports, and other records, and reviews for accuracy.
• Reconciles report discrepancies and problems.
• Codes data for input to financial data processing system according to company procedures.
• Reviews, balances, and interprets computer reports, and makes corrections.
• Validates credits.
• Process T&E Expenses

Attendance:

Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.

Personal Characteristics:

• Accuracy
• Reliability (Consistency & Dependability)
• Focused on tasks at hand (ability to prioritize tasks)
• Efficiency
• Organized
• Self-driven
• Attention to detail
• Strong work ethic
• Trainability
• Accountability
• Excellent time management
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• External Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures.
• Business Necessity – The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Therefore, it may become necessary to make modifications to how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with minimal or no advance notice to employees. Accordingly, the employees must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advantage notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.
• Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

MUSTS:

• Associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak.

effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Accounting Software; Database Software; Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint; Manufacturing Software; Inventory Software; Order Processing Systems; Project Management Software.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally in a global business environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• People/ Team building skills (multi language a plus).
• Financial acumen in a manufacturing environment and a management team leadership role.
• Demonstrated excellence at people management.
• Prefers managing in a collaborative, action-oriented culture in which the free exchange of ideas and information is encouraged and expected.
• Experience in setting group and individual goals and objectives and establishing performance criteria.

WANTS:

• Global experience.
• Experience in a family or privately held business.