Lead North American customer credit and collection functions setting operational standards for risk assessment, credit approval, and customer portfolio analysis in dynamic marketplace. Communicate clearly and concisely with all levels, including senior management and external parties. Utilize persuasive negotiation skills.  Create strategic partnerships with a focus on maximizing sales and building customer relationships while controlling credit risk.  Provide credit expertise and updates to Businesses, including international locations at times.  Enforce credit policies to ensure operational consistency, internal control compliance and customer risk mitigation; current policies and procedures are regularly communicated to global stakeholders. Set proactive leadership tone in developing and sustaining customer relationships. Proficient in financial statement analysis and external sources research. Market knowledge essential for early risks detection and related customer product delivery decisions.  Subject matter expert in customer bankruptcy counterclaim and defense efforts.  Leads a credit team of four, along with oversight of related European functions. Actively participate in growth strategies, diligence and business integrations.

Your Day-to-Day:

• Manage a small credit portfolio of Customers, as well as Precious Metal Vendors.
• Staff hiring, priority setting, performance communications, compensation and termination.
• Actively support employee growth and development through training, mentoring and coaching with focus on succession planning.
• Represent at credit trade meetings and shows.
• Analyze monthly metrics packages and customer status updates to CFO and business leaders.
• Authorize credit using staff recommendations, credit applications, available financial data and credit references considering associated market risks. 
• Authorize customer delivery holds/orders releases as appropriate after consulting customer service. 
• Establish required methodology and models to analyze credit portfolio based on customary standards including company, industry, and country.
• Partner with senior management and business units to evaluate and approve all deviations from standard terms; analyze and recommend sales terms for new and existing customers.
• Manage contracts for various credit tools, trade groups and local credit insurance.
• Approve revised credit terms for payment of delinquent accounts.
• Develop and share customer risk assessment tools.
• Visit key customers to build relationships, resolve credit concerns and improve customer service.
• Counsel and advise on international business including credit risk, export documentation, country regulations, letters of credit, terms, credit insurance and foreign exchange. 
• Recommend reserve amounts and review accounting status of bad debts.
• Contract with Collection Agencies when necessary.
• Provide expertise as it relates to credit for SAP enhancements.
• Periodically review Lock Box efficiencies for potential cost reductions or cash application    enhancements.
• Annually review, update and publish Global Credit Policy.

What You Bring to the Team:

• Bachelor’s degree in business with a minimum of 10 years of related experience including Credit Manager role.
• NACM Credit Designation Preferred
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state statutes governing liens, bonds, bankruptcy, and Uniform Commercial Code.
• Capable of utilizing creative tools to extend credit to marginal accounts:  guarantees, joint-checks and letters of credit.
• Proven track record of managing and developing a credit staff for minimum of five years.
• Premium interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Decisive problem solving, conflict and issue resolution skills.
• Strong “tone-setting” leadership skills including delegation.
• Strong understanding of a manufacturing environment as it pertains to credit.
• Focus on Credit Metrics and benchmarking.
• Process improvement focused.
• Moderate travel required (11 – 29 days per year)
• Work environment is typical of an office setting