Accounts Receivable & Credit Manager

Accounts Receivable & Credit Manager Location: Hybrid/Remote Agawam, MA; or North Aurora, IL Preferred Reports To: Shared Services Manager The Accounts Receivable & Credit Manager leads the end-to-end Order-to-Cash process across a multi-entity manufacturing platform. This role is responsible for billing oversight, collections, cash application, customer credit, dispute resolution, customer account management, and working capital performance. This is a hands-on player/coach leadership role responsible for developing a high-performing team while actively managing complex customer accounts, resolving escalated issues, and driving continuous improvement throughout the Order-to-Cash process. The successful candidate is a builder who thrives in a fast-paced, private equity-backed environment. They are comfortable creating structure where little exists, standardizing processes across multiple business units and ERP systems, using data to drive decisions, and partnering cross-functionally to eliminate the root causes of customer issuesnot simply treating the symptoms. 1. Accounts Receivable Operations Lead the daily Accounts Receivable function, including collections, cash application oversight, account reconciliations, deductions, credit management, billing support, dispute resolution, write-offs, refunds, and customer account maintenance. Manage a personal portfolio of strategic and high-risk customer accounts while coaching and supporting the Accounts Receivable team. Ensure customer accounts remain accurate through timely application of cash, credits, adjustments, write-offs, refunds, and reconciliations. Monitor customer aging and proactively drive collection efforts to improve DSO, reduce past-due receivables, and strengthen working capital. Ensure collection activities are documented consistently and follow established escalation procedures. 2. Billing & Order-to-Cash Management Oversee billing activities to ensure invoices are accurate, complete, and issued timely. Partner with Customer Service, Sales, Operations, Shipping, and Finance to resolve billing issues. Identify recurring billing issues and implement sustainable process improvements. Drive standardization of billing practices across multiple business units and acquired companies. 3. Credit & Customer Risk Management Oversee customer credit evaluations, credit limits, payment terms, and ongoing account monitoring. Evaluate customer payment behavior and financial risk. Manage collection escalations including payment plans, lien filings, collection agencies, legal referrals, account holds, and write-off recommendations. Partner with Sales to balance customer relationships with appropriate financial risk management. 4. Root Cause Resolution & Continuous Improvement Analyze recurring customer disputes, deductions, pricing discrepancies, PO issues, shipping errors, tax questions, and order entry errors to identify root causes. Partner cross-functionally to eliminate recurring issues. Develop standardized policies, procedures, workflows, collection strategies, escalation paths, and KPIs. Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives. Lead integration of acquired businesses into standardized Order-to-Cash processes. 5. Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, develop, and motivate the Accounts Receivable team while remaining hands-on. Establish clear expectations and foster accountability and continuous improvement. Support hiring, onboarding, training, cross-training, succession planning, and development. Provide hands-on support during peak workloads, close, and business integrations. 6. Financial Reporting & Analytics Manage AR month-end close responsibilities including aging reviews, bad debt analysis, reconciliations, reserves, and write-offs. Develop KPIs for DSO, collections, disputes, unapplied cash, billing quality, deductions, and working capital. Analyze operational and financial data to prioritize work and support decisions. Support audits and compliance. 7. Cross-Functional Partnership Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Shipping, Treasury, Finance, IT, and executive leadership. Drive accountability across departments to resolve customer issues. Balance strong collection discipline with excellent customer service. Support standardized Shared Services processes across the organization. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred. 710+ years of progressive experience in Accounts Receivable, Credit, Collections, or Order-to-Cash leadership. Experience in multi-entity manufacturing or distribution; PE-backed experience preferred. Demonstrated success improving DSO, cash collections, and working capital. Experience building standardized processes, controls, KPIs, and reporting. Strong knowledge of collections, billing, credit, cash application, disputes, GL accounting, and month-end close. Advanced Excel and ERP reporting skills. Experience with multiple ERP systems and process standardization.