Area Credit Manager

SRS Distribution Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SRS Distribution Inc. in Houston is seeking an Area Credit Manager to safeguard and optimize the receivables portfolio, collaborating with the Regional Credit Manager and Sales team to ensure timely collections and accurate credit decisions.

You will manage credit applications, monitor lien and bond rights, oversee deductions, and provide guidance to internal stakeholders while supporting the company’s overall financial goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Credit Management, preferably in a related industry.
• Proven experience with protection and collection of AR portfolios, including collection calls.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in processing and approving credit applications and establishing credit lines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounts receivable portfolio and ensure timely collection under supervision.
• Make collection calls on due/overdue accounts and document interactions.
• Review and release orders from ticket holds after evaluation.
• Process and approve credit applications and manage credit lines within authority.
• Oversee lien and bond rights and ensure collection of job balances.
• Communicate with sales, management, and customers on account statuses and policy.
• Track deductions and reconcile accounts; oversee joint-check processes.
• Participate in credit team meetings for continuous improvement.

Skills

Credit management

Collection calls

Negotiation

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position Purpose

The Area Credit Manager role at SRS exists to safeguard and expedite recovery of the company's assigned account receivable portfolio, under the oversight of the Regional Credit Manager. The incumbent will handle collection calls, customer account reviews, provide guidance on account status to internal teams, process credit applications and job accounts, while also maintaining diligent notes on clients within the company system. This role also necessitates strategic collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, and involves direct training for progression into a Regional Credit Manager role, strengthening the company's overall financial management practices.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the company's accounts receivable portfolio, ensuring timely collection and safeguarding of assets, under direction from the Regional Credit Manager and the Director of Credit. Make consistent collection calls on due and overdue accounts receivable, documenting each interaction within the company's digital systems for record keeping and company-wide transparency. Regularly review and release orders from ticket holds after careful evaluation. Process and approve credit applications, extending and maintaining credit lines within authority level. Provide continuous oversight of lien and bond rights, requiring thorough knowledge of notices, mechanics liens, and bond claim processes to ensure collection of job balances. Communicate proactively with both internal and external clients, including the sales team and management, to ensure clear understanding of account statuses, credit applications, and company's credit policy. Conduct thorough customer account reviews, providing recommendations on account handling to internal stakeholders as necessary. Track and reconcile any deductions, overseeing joint-check payments and enforcing company credit policy consistently. Participate fully in credit team meetings, learning from interactions and regularly contributing to department-wide discussions for continuous improvement.

Direct Manager Direct Reports

The Area Credit Manager at SRS reports directly to the Regional Credit Manager and/or the Director of Credit. The manager utilizes these key supervisory relationships to formulate decisions on credit lines, lien enforcement, and credit policy, while also seeking guidance for continued professional development towards a Regional Credit Manager role. This position does not oversee any direct reports as it is largely independent, although the manager is expected to engage actively and routinely with the Sales team and the Credit team. The successful execution of this role involves comprehensive communication skills, dedicated teamwork with peers, and accurate and timely reporting to superiors. Despite having no direct managerial responsibilities, the Area Credit Manager is required to guide and educate others, including Sales team and customers. They are also expected to uphold the highest standards of credit policy enforcement and provide valuable input in credit team meetings and key performance indicator reviews, ensuring the smooth running of the Company's overall financial operations.

Travel Requirements

The Area Credit Manager's role at SRS necessitates domestic travel, primarily for in-person meetings with regional teams, customer visits, or important company events, as directed by the Regional Credit Manager and/or Director of Credit.

Physical Requirements

The Area Credit Manager role at SRS generally operates in a professional office environment and as such requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as computers and phones. The ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time, intermittently stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform manual tasks, such as filing or lifting up to 20 pounds, is expected in regular office operations. Good visual acuity and proficiency in reading, writing, and communicating effectively in English is necessary for the satisfactory completion of the essential functions of this position. As an employer committed to ADA principles, the Company is prepared to make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. While performing the duties of this job, reasonable accommodations may include adjustment of the workspace, modifying material or presentations, providing additional technology aids or offering flexibility in work schedule to enable the performance of essential job functions. We encourage candidates to discuss potential accommodations with us and assure that all discussions related to accommodations will remain confidential. At the Company, it is our policy to treat all employees and job applicants fairly and without regard to physical abilities. We aim to maintain a work environment that is inclusive and respectful to all, reinforcing our commitment to equal opportunities.

Working Conditions

As the Area Credit Manager at SRS, you will operate in a hybrid environment; remote work is standard with local travel to branches and infrequent air travel for Credit or corporate meetings. This role is characterized by a fast-paced, deadline-driven atmosphere that requires diligence and high levels of concentration. You will find yourself working closely alongside various team members, including the Regional Credit Manager and the Director of Credit, escalating matters to them as necessary. You will also have regular interaction with internal and external customers, calling for exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, this role requires a substantial amount of time spent on computer-related activities such as processing credit applications, reviewing account information, maintaining notes and tracking deductions. You will be expected to monitor critical deadlines related to Notices, mechanics' liens, and bond claims, requiring a high level of organization and attention to detail. Furthermore, you may be required to participate in cash application interactions and attend both credit team meetings and key performance indicator reviews. Overall, this position demands a professional who thrives under pressure, possesses excellent problem-solving abilities, and upholds the highest standards of credit policy enforcement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Credit Management, preferably within a similar industry.
• Credentialed as a Credit Business Associate (CBA) from the National Association of Credit Management is preferred.
• Proven experience with the protection and collection of account receivable (AR) portfolios, including making collection calls and providing lien/prelien support.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication and negotiation skills to effectively liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in evaluating and releasing orders from ticket hold, and maintaining accurate notes in company computer systems.
• Experience in processing and approving credit applications and establishing credit lines within authority level.
• Demonstrated abilities in deduction tracking and reconciliation, handling joint check reviews and enforcing credit policies.
• Proficient in guiding and educating sales teams and customers, in addition to coordinating with the sales team and credit team.
• Experience in monitoring deadlines for Notices, mechanics liens and bond claims.
• Exceptional analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Adept at working independently without close oversight, but also a team player who productively collaborates with immediate team and across functions.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with company-specific software would be beneficial.
• Excellent business acumen, professional demeanor, and strong ethical judgement.
• Ability to meet assigned deadlines, including strong multitasking and organizational skills, and learning agility.
• Familiarity with cash application interaction and participation in credit team meetings as well as key performance indicator reviews is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Credit Manager or a similar role in the finance sector.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in credit management is desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or professional certification such as NACM's CBA would be advantageous.
• Proven proficiency with corporate accounting software systems for managing account receivables.
• Familiarity with the specific software used by the Company will be a plus.
• Demonstrable ability to evaluate and establish credit lines, preferably within a large business or corporate setting.
• Familiarity with credit applications and approval process within the terms of authority level is a must.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively with sales teams and interact professionally with both internal and external customers.
• Strong understanding of financial laws and regulations, particularly regarding liens, bond claims, and other aspects related to credit and collections.
• Experience in deduction tracking and reconciliation, joint check review and enforcing credit policies within a corporate setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, especially in data analysis and presentation tools such as Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong leadership skills with a commitment to lead regular credit