Manager - Trade Credit Services - Collections

Position Purpose:

Role Summary

The Collections Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the collections processes. This role is focused on optimizing cash flow, driving down Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), minimizing bad debt write-offs, and managing high-stakes customer relationships and third-party vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Directives: Define and execute the overarching collection strategy, segmented by risk profile and account value.
Performance Metrics: Establish, monitor, and report on departmental KPIs (DSO, Collection Effectiveness Index (CEI), aging brackets).
Escalation & Resolution: Act as the final internal escalation point for high-value delinquent accounts, navigating complex payment disputes and workouts.
Vendor Management: Oversee relationships, performance, and compliance of first and third-party collection agencies and legal partners.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Sales, Legal, and Operations leadership to resolve systemic billing or service issues impacting payment.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

This Position typically reports to the Sr. Manager or Director, Pro Trade Credit
This Position has 6 Direct Reports

Travel Requirements:

Typically requires overnight travel 5% to 20% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions, there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be at least 18 years old
Must be legally permitted to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams
Ability to draw accurate conclusions from financial documentation
Demonstrated project management skills
Ability to negotiate, handle complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances with both internal and external customers
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
3+ years’ experience in commercial trade credit management and/or supervisory capacity in credit servicing center and underwriting teams.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
An understanding and knowledge of the principles/disciplines of commercial underwriting and credit program administration.
People and team management skills
A strong grasp of credit and customer service/call center management skills. Able to manage/coordinate customer servicing levels. Understands how to structure and manage staffing, manage collections and effective receivables management relative to operational structure and servicing needs.
Sound understanding of lien based lending and effective receivables management strategies.
Ability to leverage data and analysis to craft a well-thought story and business case. Very strong communication skills to deliver business cases and gain support for process development and business strategies. Demonstrated decisiveness and sound decision-making skills.
Able to think strategically about business problems and opportunities and to focus efforts on strategies that most closely support key company initiatives.

Minimum Education:

The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Preferred Education:

The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

6

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

6

Minimum Leadership Experience:

3

Preferred Leadership Experience:

3

Certifications:

None

Competencies:

Decision Quality
Collaborates
Drives Engagement
Ensures Accountability
Plans and Aligns
Communicates Effectively
Customer Focus
Develops Talent
Drives Results
Manages Conflict