Credit & Contracts Manager

Description

Power Distributors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Briggs and Stratton, the leading manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines and parts for outdoor power equipment. Briggs and Stratton engines are incorporated into products for both the consumer market and industrial/commercial applications. We are also responsible for the sales and marketing of Briggs and Stratton Power consumer & commercial generators and pressure washers.

Power Distributors also distributes Oregon Equipment Parts, Oregon Forestry products and several other allied parts lines.

The Credit & Contracts Manager will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the credit, collections, and contract functions. This role is responsible for driving the organization’s order-to-cash workflow, managing credit risk, optimizing cash flow, and minimizing bad debt while actively supporting sales growth across all dealer networks and trade accounts. The Manager will directly lead and mentor a team consisting of three (3) Credit & Collection Analysts and one (1) Contract Manager.

Operating out of our Columbus office, this individual will collaborate closely with Sales, Operations, and Accounting leadership to maintain healthy customer portfolios, resolve complex disputes, and establish sound credit and contracting standards.

• Team Leadership & Development:
  Lead, coach, and manage a team of three Credit & Collection Analysts and one Contract Manager. Establish clear performance metrics, balance regional account portfolios, conduct regular reviews, and foster a collaborative, customer-centric team culture.
• Credit Underwriting & Risk Evaluation:
  Formulate and manage comprehensive credit evaluation processes for new and existing dealer/trade accounts. Analyze financial statements, commercial credit reports and payment trends to establish appropriate credit terms and limits within delegated authority.
• Order Release & Risk Escalations:
  Serve as the senior escalation point for daily order hold decisions, high-exposure accounts, and complex credit releases; balance customer relationship maintenance with corporate risk exposure.
• Contracts Oversight:
  Supervise the Contract Manager to ensure customer agreements, dealer contracts, credit applications, personal guarantees, security agreements, and related commercial terms align with company policy and legal guidelines.
• Collections & Cash Flow Optimization:
  Drive overall DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) reduction, aging improvements, and delinquency prevention across all regions. Oversee escalated collection efforts, payment negotiations, and structured workouts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner closely with Inside and Outside Sales, Customer Service, Finance build productive relationships and proactively resolve account friction.
• Dispute Management & Bad Debt Mitigation:
  Oversee the root-cause research and resolution of complex invoice discrepancies, deductions, and customer disputes. Recommend and prepare accounts for third-party collections, legal action, or bad debt write-offs when necessary.
• Financial Reporting & Governance:
  Monitor and present monthly accounts receivable aging, reserve requirements, risk exposure analyses, and team KPIs to the Accounting Manager and executive management.
• Systems & Process Improvement:
  Identify and champion enhancements within specialized mainframe ERP financial/collection systems and reporting tools to streamline credit workflows and cash applications.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education & Experience:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related discipline preferred (or equivalent cumulative experience).
• Industry Background:
  Minimum of 3 years of progressive credit and collections experience, preferably within equipment, parts, or wholesale distribution.
• Leadership
  
  Experience:
  
  Minimum of 1 years of proven supervisory or team management experience leading credit, collection, or billing professionals.
• Technical Proficiency:
  Demonstrated experience working in mainframe/ERP systems, specialized credit and collections software, and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel). Net Suite experience is a plus.
• Communication & Negotiation:
  Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to negotiate tactfully with business owners, A/P departments, and internal stakeholders.
• Analytical Problem-Solving:
  Ability to evaluate multifaceted financial problems, interpret…