Accounts Receivable, Credit & Collections Manager

SC JOHNSON IS A FIFTH-GENERATION FAMILY COMPANY BUILT ON THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers – such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Accounts Receivable, Credit & Collections Manager you will manage the relationship of customers, Accounts Receivable assets, and several billion dollars of Invoice Collections annually for multiple business units within North America. These responsibilities will continue to grow over time via acquisitions and integrations. You will oversee Credit Limits, Payment Terms, and Cash Discount compliance and negotiates and resolves payment disputes regularly with customers such as Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Costco, Amazon, etc. You are also responsible for overseeing systems and processes that ensure high-quality customer risk assessments. Key responsibilities include assigning credit limits and risk codes, ensuring timely and accurate customer invoicing, and managing the prompt collection of payments. This role also involves extensive cross-functional collaboration with teams such as Customer Fulfillment, Customer Supply Chain, Transportation, Sales, BPT, and Finance. Additionally, this position leads a team of seven and requires regular domestic travel to engage with trade groups and customers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage Customer Risk Assessments and Credit Limit Authorizations:

• Perform thorough credit reviews of new and existing customers, including but not limited to:

  • Lead financial review sessions with Finance Executives from SCJ’s customers and build and maintain strong customer relationships to obtain critical financial information, learn of business trends/changes, and address potential business risks/issues. 

  • In-depth risk review of customers’ annual audited financial statements, and payment performance to SCJ and other manufacturers in the industry.

  • Review of credit rating and financial reports from contracted third-party service providers.

  • Active participant/committee/board member in Trade Credit Groups and conferences to discuss common customer experiences and to maintain strong network connections with credit peers.

Manage Order Release of High-Risk Customers:

• Manage strategies and perform release of sales orders from credit hold within prescribed delegation of authority limits. Establish new credit limits and recommend holding customer shipments as needed.

• Develop and actively manage SCJ’s High Risk Customer list and communicate to Sales Leadership twice annually to mitigate business interruption and bankruptcy risk.

Manage the efficiency and effectiveness of Invoicing collections and Cash Discount expense:

• Ensure invoices with proper payment terms are created and posted timely upon shipment.

• Resolve and correct invoice errors in SAP and communicate to customers effectively.

• Manage and perform collection activities to keep customer payments current and within cash discount compliance including:

  • Manage staff of 4 Credit Specialists, 2 Associate Managers and 1Sr. Credit Analysts and set routine collection activities and strategies.

  • Follow-up with SCJ’s BPT & EDI Teams, Customer Service, RDCs, Manufacturing sites, and Transportation Carriers & Customers to resolve shipment disputes.

  • Complete Monthly KPI (DSO, Past Dues, and Cash Discount Compliance, etc.) analyses and commentary to ensure broader commercial team awareness of results and ensuring annual objectives are met.

• Negotiate disputed payments and terms with Customer’s Finance Executives and Merchandise Buyers to ensure Robinson-Patman compliance and effective use of SCJ’s Working Capital.

• Implement and Automate OPEX and Lean projects to maintain efficiencies and effectiveness of team while business continues to grow and integrate new businesses into the shared service network.

Manage Customer Bankruptcies and minimize SCJ’s Bad Debt Risk:

• Lead the bankruptcy process for customers that file Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 Bankruptcy:

  • Timely file claims for A/R outstanding at the time of filing with the bankruptcy court, including §503 (b) (9) claims, perform Preference analysis and defend actions filed.

  • Follow up with