Credit And Collections Specialist

Job Title:

Credit and Collections Specialist

Job Description

The Credit and Collections Specialist manages customer receivables, supports credit management activities, and provides exceptional customer service while ensuring timely collection of balances due. This role works closely with customers and internal teams to resolve account issues, support credit decisions, and maintain accurate account records. The position offers the opportunity to expand skills, grow professionally, and contribute to a collaborative credit team in a dynamic distribution environment.

Responsibilities

+ Collect customer receivables across the organization and ensure timely payment of outstanding balances.

+ Assist customers with account inquiries and troubleshoot account balance issues in a professional and customer-focused manner.

+ Support the credit management team by ensuring coverage for credit matters during company business hours.

+ Assist in reviewing and releasing credit holds in accordance with established credit policies and procedures.

+ Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers while effectively collecting balances due and addressing any concerns.

+ Build and maintain strong relationships across the organization, including partnering with sales associates to coordinate and execute collection efforts.

+ Collaborate closely with another Credit and Collections Specialist to share responsibilities and, after training, manage an assigned collections territory to avoid overlap.

+ Provide documentation and support for state and local sales tax audits, ensuring accuracy and completeness of requested information.

+ Support the setup of new customer accounts and ensure accurate and timely entry of account information into the ERP system.

+ Contribute to continuous improvement of credit and collections processes by communicating issues, trends, and opportunities to the credit management team.

Essential Skills

+ At least 1 year of experience managing credit for small to large customers, preferably in a distribution environment.

+ Hands-on experience in collections and accounts receivable activities.

+ Experience supporting credit management functions, including credit holds and account setup.

+ Knowledge and understanding of credit laws and regulations, such as Truth in Lending, Fair Credit Reporting, and Fair Debt Collection Practices.

+ Familiarity with credit risk management methods, including liens, payment bonds, joint checks, and personal guarantees.

+ Strong customer service skills with the ability to handle account inquiries and resolve issues professionally.

+ Ability to build effective working relationships with customers, sales associates, and internal stakeholders.

+ Proficiency using ERP systems, with experience using Eclipse (Epicor product) or similar platforms.

+ Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including exporting and organizing data from an ERP into spreadsheets.

+ Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing financial and credit-related information.

+ Ability to work a consistent 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule to provide full coverage for credit matters.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience working in a multi-location or national credit team environment.

+ Experience in a distribution or similar industry supporting regional credit managers.

+ Interest in expanding skills and growing within a credit and collections career path.

+ Ability to work effectively in tandem with another specialist, sharing responsibilities and managing a defined territory.

+ Comfort working with moderate volumes of data exported from ERP systems into Excel.

+ Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain credit decisions and account statuses clearly.

+ Proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving and process improvement.

+ Appreciation for working in an employee-focused organization that offers benefits such as an employee ownership structure, retirement savings programs, volunteer time off, and competitive benefits.

Work Environment

The Credit and Collections Specialist works as part of a national credit team of five, including three Credit Managers and two Credit…