Credit Manager

The AR Credit Manager is an integral member of the finance team and is responsible for optimizing the company sales and reducing bad debt by maintaining the company’s credit policy. This role supports the accounts receivable (AR) department of the Ware Group (TWG) in accordance with consistent company policies and practices while maintaining compliance with all Federal, State and Local credit regulations. The AR Credit Manager is accountable for developing, maintaining, and improving credit policies and practices for all regions the company performs business in, managing the collection processes, improving AR Reporting, developing and supporting the AR team, and enhancing the customer relations through smoother collection tools. This position reports to the Director of Finance.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees and manages the integrity of the Customer Record Files including ensuring adequate credit limits are determined, terms are within the parameters generally accepted by TWG, segmentation of the customer is relevant to the type of business, authorized buyers and required licenses are current.
• Oversees the reviews/approvals of all Credit and POD applications for assigned locations.
• Ensures credit limits are properly assigned using agency partners such as NACM/DNBI and Equifax. Manages credit limit changes and ensuring those exceeding approved levels are thoroughly reviewed by Credit Manager, with a third layer of review from Director of Finance or VP of Finance where applicable. Updates appropriate leadership on issues.
• Implements credit efforts and ensures collection management by AR Managers. Ensures proactive monitoring and ongoing management of all credit and collection related matters for each AR Manager and their assigned area. Includes but is not limited to:
• Supporting AR Managers and their efforts to manage credit override job queues including ensuring proper credit limits are in place. Override based on job queue request, taking the appropriate follow up action including calling customers based on past due balance and/or review of credit limit.
• Reporting on Collection calls – routinely reviews AR Collection queue to ensure the AR Managers are conducting collections efforts, providing support and direction and following up as needed.
• Manages any collections related legal actions on behalf of the company, coordinating and supporting collection related legal action such as but not limited to:
• Preparing account for the state specific attorney based on the requirements of the attorney. Documents files, provides leadership notification, and manages account write offs as appropriate.
• Ensuring completion of NSF and Credit Card Fraud follow up process from notification of returned check or Credit Card Fraud. This includes notification to the customer, charge back of the return and appropriate fees and legal follow up without resolution through the State Attorney’s or Solicitors Office.
• Oversees the integrity of the GL accounts, Cash Box and A/R Payments. Where applicable, responsible for Cash Box deposits and sweeps as well as A/R payments received through the mail as well as the payment application of ACH payments once received through TWG bank.
• Oversees the research, reconciliation and follow up on all escalated, non-descript payments received through the company Lock Boxes auto post programs as notified.
• Oversees the management of the Third-Party Biller processes including promoting and encouraging customers to join the Third-Party Biller portal Manages Fax and Transmission failures.
• Assists when necessary for Johnstone Supply Strategic Account such as set up, payment application, EDI or general questions.
• Hires, supervises, trains, develops, and provides ongoing oversight, direction, and support to assigned personnel.
• Collaborates with all members of the Finance team on a variety of projects and initiatives for the implementation of company objectives and goals.
• Serves as AR resource to company leadership and as AR business partner to Regional Managers, ensuring support of the sales function and working with the AR team to ensure a professional customer support and service experience.
• Supports eCommerce initiatives and maintenance of the Customer Record file for contacts when requested, setting up the appropriate triggers, initiating invite for all eCommerce platforms through TWG technology (i.e. Innovo).
• As directed, may assist with various project and initiatives, including but not limited to acquisitions, maintaining AR SOPs, credit card processor review/renewals, credit agency renewals, working with and the selection of external collection related vendors/firms.
• Interprets and applies regulations, policies and procedures, evaluating risk and managing through a variety of options, making recommendations and providing guidance for successful outcomes.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Internal Relationships

The AR Credit Manger support the Accounts Receivable Managers, who regularly interface in writing and orally with other Regional AR managers, AR personnel, Account Managers, Branch/Market/Regional managers, all officers and directors of TWG, all branch and branch support personnel. All noted groups will have individual relationships with the AR Credit Manager as well.

External Relationships

External contacts include a selected group of customers to resolve any collection related issues. Credit/financial institutions, third-party biller relationship regarding training and contract usage and or renewals. Attorneys and law firms regarding delinquent payments, liens, contracts and training opportunities.

Education, Work Experience and Specialized Skills or Knowledge

• Position requires completion of four years of high school or GED requirement. No specific license or certificates are required.
• A minimum of eight to ten (8-10) years’ experience working in an accounts receivable or similar professional field with five (5) or more years prior work experience in credit and collections management preferred.
• At least three years supervising a team with experience managing, training, and developing direct reports.
• Proficiency in a variety of standard office computer software (Word, Excel, Outlook) is required with strong Excel knowledge. General ability to learn mainframe accounting software application screens (i.e. Eclipse) and TWG utilized technologies as required by standard operating procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, with ability to communicate proficiently in English in both formats. Bilingual in Spanish a plus.
• Ability to communicate with and provide training and support related to credit management to a widely varied audience both internally and externally.
• Ability to interpret regulations, policy, and procedure, evaluate risk, provide guidance, and manage through varied options and opinions for successful outcomes.

Physical Environment / Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical: While performing the job duties, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time. Hand and finger coordination essential throughout workday, hearing and speaking ability key to this position. Visual acuity required for reading, producing reports, or doing computer work for extended periods of time. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and lift to 20 pounds. Auditory acuteness required to perform heavy volume of telephone and personal contacts on an individual, or group meeting level.

Store or Office Environment: Typical office environment working conditions at Branch Support and Branch office meetings and periodic on-site visits to individual store and warehouse operations that require standing, walking and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Most work is performed with telephone equipment, personal computer, fax, printer, copier, and at times RF scanner. Standard working conditions include conditioned air (heated/cooled) for most of the day. Brief periods in un-conditioned air may be required from time to time. Light volume of personal business travel (air or driving) of up to 10% on the local, state and national level.

Why the Ware Group?

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, and Vision
• 401K with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• EAP Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Warehouse Safety Reward Program

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. If applying for positions in the U.S., must be eligible to work in the U.S. without need for employer sponsored visa (work permit).