Accounts Receivable Manager, NAM

Job Description:

Reporting to the North America Controller, the Accounts Receivable Manager, NAM is responsible for overseeing credit policies, assessing customer creditworthiness, and ensuring timely collections. Key responsibilities include managing a team of analysts located in ESAB's shared services center in Monterrey, Mexico, handling escalated collection issues, and maintaining strong customer relationships. The role involves preparing performance reports, ensuring compliance with regulations, and continuously improving credit and collections processes. The manager collaborates with sales, customer service, and finance teams to optimize operations and mitigate credit risks.

Primary Duties

• Develop and implement credit policies and procedures. Including but not limited to evaluating and approving credit limits for new and existing customers.
• Conduct credit risk assessments and monitor customer creditworthiness.
• Manage and review credit applications, including financial statement analysis and credit scoring.
• Oversee the collections process to ensure timely recovery of outstanding receivables.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce days sales outstanding (DSO).
• Handle escalated collection issues and negotiate payment plans with delinquent accounts.
• Work with customers to resolve disputes and discrepancies related to invoicing and payments.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of credit and collections analysts located in ESAB's shared services center in Monterrey, Mexico.
• Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing training and development.
• Foster a collaborative and results-driven team environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers to ensure smooth credit and collections processes.
• Communicate effectively with customers to address and resolve credit and collection issues.
• Provide exceptional customer service while enforcing credit policies.
• Prepare and present regular reports on credit and collections performance to senior management.
• Monitor key metrics such as DSO, aging reports, and collection rates.
• Analyze trends and identify opportunities for process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies related to credit and collections.
• Manage and mitigate credit risk through effective policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer credit files and records.
• Continuously evaluate and improve credit and collections processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Implement best practices and leverage technology to streamline operations.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as sales and finance, to optimize end-to-end credit and collections processes.
• Manage the allocation of payments and the application of cash receipts.
• Oversee the reconciliation of accounts receivable accounts.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets and forecasts related to accounts receivable.
• Lead and participate in special projects and initiatives related to credit and collections.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in credit and collections management.
• Work closely with sales, customer service, and finance teams to ensure alignment and effective communication.
• Provide support and guidance to internal stakeholders on credit and collections matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) is a plus.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in accounts receivable management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Experience working with government contractors is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of credit and collections processes and best practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment.

Working Conditions

• Remains in a stationary position at least 70% of the time and involves additional physical demands such as ascending/descending stairs, walking stooping and standing.
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment 'PPE' when working/visiting manufacturing and plant or customers' locations.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery including but not limited to printers, tablets, cell phones.
• Moves transports, puts, or removes equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.; pushes, pulls products weighing up to 200 lbs. using provided safety tools.
• May be exposed to varying weather during travel.
• Travel required (monthly visits to the Monterrey Shared Services Center and customer visits as needed) at least 20%.