Accounts Receivable Manager

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the team at Legrand

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Audio-Visual Division of Legrand is in search of an experienced and detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Director of Accounts Receivable, the primary responsibility of this role is to oversee and manage the accounts receivable function for the North American entities of the division. The successful candidate will ensure adherence to company, department, and individual goals by effectively managing the portfolio's days sales outstanding (DSO), days beyond terms (DBT), residual payments, customer disputes, and general delinquency. This entails employing risk management principles such as credit investigation, collection strategies, and prudent credit limit establishment. They will demonstrate proficiency in collections, negotiation, credit law, bankruptcy regulations, and financial statement analysis. Additionally, responsibilities include maintaining sales tax exemption records, ensuring data integrity, and monitoring overall AR metrics. The Accounts Receivable Manager will also play a crucial role in facilitating the escalation and resolution of customer disputes. Furthermore, they will provide guidance to team members in collection efforts, dispute resolution, and other tasks essential for upholding accounts receivable performance standards.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

* Ensure timely reduction and sustained control of DBT, DSO, and delinquency levels on designated accounts, aligning with company, department, and individual targets through persistent and efficient collection efforts.

* Spearhead and lead initiatives aimed at process enhancements, training, and innovation involving both departmental and cross-functional teams. Provide guidance and mentorship to accounts receivable staff by leveraging new technologies for financial statement analysis, optimizing collection techniques, and enhancing problem-solving capabilities.

* Foster strong customer and sales relationships via clear communication by balancing revenue initiatives and the mitigating of bad debt write-offs; using sound judgment and discernment when seeking external support.

* Take proactive measures to investigate and promptly resolve customer disputes and inquiries, often necessitating collaboration with various internal departments as well as effective communication with external customers and contacts across various levels of matrixed organizations.

* Conduct comprehensive credit investigations on new and existing accounts. Establish and manage appropriate credit limits based on customer financial profiles, aiming to strike a balance between delinquency control and preventing unnecessary credit holds. Leverage financial analysis experience, utilizing existing software and tools to ensure proactive identification and mitigation of probable bad debt risks.

* Lead the team in reviewing and managing orders on hold, prioritizing factors such as production and shipping deadlines, meeting customer expectations without compromising operational timelines internally.

* Uphold the maintenance of accurate sales tax exemption records and meticulously review all new account setups to assure proper exemption documentation and setup procedures, in compliance with internal control policies.

* Support AR staff by aiding with complex customer accounts and situations, while ensuring broader management and stakeholders are kept informed of relevant customer developments. Escalate customer issues where required and assist the Director with portfolio metric preparation and analysis.

* Responsible for all aspects of performance management including interviewing, hiring, training, performance evaluations, and recognition.

* Provide effective, constructive, and appropriate feedback and leadership to direct reports to foster a positive team atmosphere; ensure personal and professional development of direct reports.

* Initiate and assist with the creation, development, and implementation of processes and procedures.

* Consistently support compliance by maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of information, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, and adhering to applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and the Company's policies and procedures.

* Understand workplace hazards and proactively prevent and report hazards or injuries in the workplace. Cooperate in safety programs, initiatives, and investigations.

* Demonstrate Legrand's core values of seizing the future, embracing inclusion, moving in sync, striving for simplicity, and being dependable.

* Complete other duties deemed necessary to support the Legrand's Audio-Visual operations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

* Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercising judgment to develop and implement effective strategies for achieving results while working with minimal supervision.

* Solid understanding of Accounts Receivable policies, procedures, and strategies in a B2B environment, coupled with previous experience interpreting and analyzing business credit reports.

* Excellent negotiation and customer service skills, complemented by strong oral and written communication abilities tailored to various management levels and company sizes.

* Proficient in analytical and reconciliation tasks, with thorough attention to detail and the ability to effectively manage workload priorities.

* Sound knowledge and application of basic accounting practices, coupled with proficient math skills.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel, and using it to manipulate data from an ERP system.

* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, demonstrating effective delegation and resource utilization.

* High degree of professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information, operating in high-growth and entrepreneurial environments.

* Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and follow-through.

* Proven ability to manage and motivate employees, delegate tasks effectively, and operate in a deadline-driven environment.

* Capacity to make sound decisions and resolve issues using consistent judgment aligned with standards, policies, and regulations.

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

* Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or other related field with a minimum of three (3) years commercial credit and collections experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Advanced education and demonstrated expertise in financial statement analysis, bankruptcy, credit, contract law, and negotiation.

* Previous experience utilizing complex ERP systems, knowledge of SAP extremely valuable.

* Familiarity with a manufacturing environment.

* Experience interfacing with large retailers / EDI environment.

* CBA or CBF certification is a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required (for most of the working day) to sit and make coordinated movements of the fingers for data entry on a keyboard.

* Ability to lift 30 pounds.

* General office environment.

* May require regular ground travel to other company facilities.

* Long-distance or air travel as needed - not to exceed 5% travel.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Legrand is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. You will be considered for this position based upon your experience and education, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry; marital, disabled or veteran status. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workforce environment that is free from any form of discrimination or harassment.

If you'd like to work in a fun, creative, business-casual environment that offers a comprehensive benefit package, we encourage you to apply

Legrand is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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