Job Description: Accounts Receivable (AR) & Collections Supervisor / Manager

Position Title: AR & Collections Supervisor / Manager
Location: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in office)
Department: Finance
Location: This will be a hybrid role & can be based in either Rosemont IL or Lombard IL
Job Type: Full-time

Position Summary: The AR & Collections Supervisor / Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of accounts receivable, including cash application, collections, and credit management. The role ensures that company policies and procedures are followed to improve cash flow, reduce bad debt, and maintain accurate financial reporting. The AR & Collections Manager will be a hands on position starting as a stand alone position who will be responsible for building and leading a team of AR specialists, coordinate with other departments, and provide strategic guidance on improving the company’s collection processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accounts Receivable Management:
  • Oversee and manage the daily operations of the AR team, including invoicing, payment processing, and customer account reconciliations.
  • Ensure timely and accurate cash application across multiple business units.
  • Monitor AR aging reports, identify delinquent accounts, and take appropriate action to mitigate risk.
  • Develop and maintain effective credit policies and credit management processes.
  • Lead initiatives to reduce DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) and improve cash flow.
• Collections Management:
  • Establish and implement collection strategies to ensure timely collection of outstanding accounts.
  • Lead the collection efforts for high-value or at-risk accounts and work directly with customers to resolve payment issues.
  • Negotiate payment arrangements and manage relationships with customers to minimize overdue accounts and bad debt.
  • Coordinate with legal and third-party collection agencies when necessary.
• Team Leadership:
  • Supervise, mentor, and train the AR & Collections team to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and professionalism.
  • Set team goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track performance and ensure alignment with company objectives.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and create development plans for team members.
• Process Improvement & Automation:
  • Identify and implement improvements in AR and collection processes, leveraging automation where possible to enhance efficiency.
  • Collaborate with IT and finance teams to integrate AR processes with systems like IFS, Blackline, and Salesforce.
  • Monitor and maintain compliance with accounting standards and regulations related to AR and collections.
  • Continuously assess the effectiveness of collection processes and implement changes to minimize bad debt.
• Reporting & Analysis:
  • Prepare and present AR reports, collection metrics, and cash flow forecasts to senior management.
  • Analyze trends in payment behavior, delinquency, and bad debt to identify areas of concern and opportunities for improvement.
  • Work closely with the finance team to ensure accurate month-end and year-end closing of AR accounts.
• Cross-Department Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with sales, customer service, and operations teams to resolve customer disputes and improve the customer experience.
  • Ensure communication between departments is clear and timely regarding customer accounts and payment status.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in accounts receivable and collections management, with a demonstrated track record of success.
• Strong knowledge of AR processes, collections strategies, credit management, and cash application procedures.
• Leadership experience with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop a team.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in accounting software and ERP systems, such as IFS or similar platforms.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for financial analysis and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a multi-location or multi-entity organization.
• Familiarity with automation tools and technology to streamline AR and collection processes.
• Experience in implementing process improvements in AR and collections.

Key Competencies:

• Attention to Detail: Ability to maintain high accuracy in cash application and reporting.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and developing solutions to improve collections and reduce delinquency.
• Leadership: Skilled in motivating and managing teams, setting clear objectives, and ensuring high performance.
• Customer Focus: Ability to manage customer relationships while ensuring timely payments and resolving disputes.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to analyze financial data and trends to make informed decisions.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Culligan are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.

Culligan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.