Credit and Collections Manager

 JOB TITLE: Credit & Collections Manager                  

FLSA: Exempt

STATUS: Full Time, On-site

LOCATION: Skokie, IL

SUPERVISOR:  Director of Credit & Collections  

Company Description:

At Visual Comfort & Co. our mission is to bring Visual Comfort to every space and setting by harnessing the transformative power of light and design. Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative lighting, architectural lighting, and ceiling fans from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market-leading range of premium products across categories, styles, and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, world-class customer experience.

Position Summary:

The Credit and collections manager Is primarily responsible in safeguarding company interests and improving customer relationships by leading a confident and inspired team and continuing to drive process improvements while working with the Credit and Collections Director.

This role is responsible for managing their teams’ assigned portfolios, reporting and communication of results. This role partners with Sales, customer service, returns and senior business leaders to deliver exceptional credit and collections management.

Responsibilities:

·       Manage A/R functions of assigned team’s portfolios, including collection, cash flow, deduction research, and minimizing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).

·       Approve, review, and monitor daily credit release of Sales Orders.

·       Review and analyze customer financial information for new customers to determine creditworthiness and establish credit limits.

·       Process new customer applications with credit limits, subject to Director’s final approval.

·       Perform periodic written financial reviews of high volume and high-risk customers to monitor and minimize risk.

·       Prepare and distribute various portfolio A/R aging reports for team’s metrics.

·       Demonstrate “Best Practices” while working cross-functionally within departments to resolve customer issues/disputes.

·       Handle escalations with Customers and/or Sales Reps as needed. Manage conflict resolution.

·       Continually look to improve streamlining of processes and procedures for efficiencies.

·       Manage team to facilitate payment of outstanding receivables and minimize DSO. Support team with account adjustments, write-offs, reconciliations, and credit memos. Overall management of assigned portfolio aging reports.

·       Responsible for hiring and managing the team. In addition to daily responsibilities, the Credit Manager is responsible for coaching and developing their team, administering disciplinary action, and mid-year and annual performance reviews.

·       Negotiate payment arrangements as approved by Director of Credit & Collections.

·       Be present in the workplace to effectively elaborate and communicate amongst coworkers and teams.

·       Demonstrate commitment, dependability, punctuality, and adherence to agreed-upon schedule.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education, with specialization in Accounting, Finance, or Business.

·       Minimum of six years full-time work experience in Credit and Collections, including business-to-business collections.

·       Previous experience managing a team of 12+ members for a minimum of three years.

·       Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.

·       Extensive proficiency with MS Outlook and MS Excel (VLOOKUP calculation and pivot tables).

·       Knowledge of the Credit and Collections process.

·       Ability to manage a team of Accounts Receivables Analysts and/or Credit and Collection Analysts.

·       Proficiency in using appropriate tools (JD Edwards, credit reporting tools i.e., DnB) for account status analysis.

·       Knowledge of EDI and SPS Commerce processes desired but not required.

·       Knowledge of the manufacturing industry desired but not required.

·       NACM accreditation desired but not required.

·       Excellent customer service and communication skills.

·       Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to work independently.

·       Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze data in Excel.

·       Proven ability to set priorities and work within deadlines.

·       Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work with constantly changing priorities.

·       Proven history of continuous improvement implementations.