Lead, Credit

Position Summary

The Credit Lead provides functional leadership for daily credit and collections activities and serves as the primary technical resource for dealer credit analysis, account escalations, and wholesale financing coordination. The position coordinates work priorities, reviews designated credit work for accuracy and compliance, guides staff on procedures, and follows through on credit issues under the direction of the Finance Manager. The Credit Lead manages assigned financing-company relationships, evaluates dealer credit risk, coordinates credit reporting, and performs assigned accounts receivable accounting activities. The Finance Manager retains department management, staffing and performance decisions, policy approval, and decisions outside the Lead’s documented authority. This position reports to the Finance Manager.

Principal Tasks

- Operate the special terms full recourse wholesale finance program administered by Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance ("Wells CDF"). This includes extending credit facilities sufficient to accommodate our division sales objectives, while managing the risk. Conduct annual Executive Summary analysis, by reviewing dealer financial statements, financial trends, payment performance and outside references.

- Analyze the vehicle and parts accounts receivables to ensure that we meet or exceed our corporate objectives. Preparing and reviewing status reports, and other management reports. Conduct meetings to discuss credit and individual objectives and results. Implement new systems or procedures to improve our corporate collection results. Interact with the dealers and sales departments to maintain exemplary credit relations and satisfaction of dealer's financial obligation.

- Complete the credit review of all new dealer set ups and changes of ownership packages for all sales divisions. Analyze the compiled data provided by the sales staff to ensure proper credit extensions are provided. Manage all collection activity on collection accounts assigned for litigation. Review documentation, nature of debt and methods by which outside collection efforts should be pursued. Handle all discoveries, interrogatories, depositions, and attend trials as a Suzuki witness. Seek means to improve collections in a cost-effective manner

- Make necessary recommendations for improvements to systems to ensure systems can support market changes, business growth, and overall changes.

- Professionally handle internal and dealer disputes to maintain continuity and improve relationships. Crosstrain other staff as necessary to promote development and improve the Credit department's efficiency and effectiveness. Provide status reports to management as needed.

- Lead business relationships with wholesale finance companies to ensure there are viable and cost-competitive flooring source options available to support our business dealer development requirements. Collaborate with Finance Manager on negotiations in rates and terms and coordinate collaborative effort with Executive Management and Sales/Marketing departments.

- Continuously review internal controls and processes and procedures, recommend proposed enhancements and implement upon approval to strengthen Credit's internal controls and improve efficiency of Credit.

- Develop effective and efficient reporting of Credit activity and status of dealer accounts to provide timely and pertinent information to Management. Develop Dealer Management program to identify potential dealer issues, communicate to appropriate SMA members to mitigate risks and minimize losses; including continuous communication with marketing and sales teams, and with third-party finance sources, and visit dealer locations as needed.

- Ensure Credit and AR related accounting transactions follow US GAAP. Assist in the implementation of SMC's Suzuki Accounting Standards by identifying accounting treatment differences and proposing implementation procedures so that SMA follows Suzuki Accounting Standards.

- Conduct monthly meetings with all sales staff and generate a report based on the meeting. Meetings should be conducted separately with clear objectives and reporting defined. Objectives should include potential risks, market activity, dealer relationships, etc.

- Will be responsible for accounting functions as needed in relation to accounts receivable, bad debt, reconciliations, amongst other things

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

- Seven years wholesale credit collection experience with three years of management or regional management level experience

- Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or finance or equivalent experience

- Knowledge in wholesale financing, accounts receivable collections, and bankruptcy laws

- Strong communication and organizational skills

- Strong excel skills

Preferred Qualifications

- Retail Finance experience