AR Manager: Cash Flow & Credit Strategy

John Crane is a global leader in rotating equipment solutions, supplying engineered technologies and services to process industries. The company designs and manufactures avariety of products, including mechanical seals and systems, couplings, filtration systems and digital diagnostics technologies. John Crane customer service is accessedthrough a global network of more than 200 sales and service facilities in over 50 countries. Global reported revenue for fiscal year 2021 was in excess of $1 billion USD. JohnCrane is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications,and engineered components.

Job Description

This is an key role within the John Crane Mexico Shared Service Centre and is accountable for the management of customer debt, engagement with customers for outstanding payments, undertake credit management, reviews of credit limits. They will work closely with senior management and sales teams to ensure invoices and credit notes are issued promptly and in accordance with the John Crane policies and procedures.

The AR Manager will represent finance with other leaders in the Enquiry-to-Cash process to modernise and improve process efficiency and financial controls. This will include the systems or process designs and the subsequent changes, systems testing and business change required. The AR Manager is the design authority of AR processes and is accountable for the documentation and application of processes across the AR team.

Specific Functions, Activities and Responsibilities

• Structure, organise and lead a team of two AR Supervisors and 13 AR Specialists
• Undertake weekly reviews of overdue debt with Sales Teams and FCs to improve cash collection
• Provide monthly metrics on team performance and compliance to process and policies
• Reconcile the monthly Aged Debtor report to the GL and provide a narrative for all overdue accounts
• Propose credit limits for new customers and undertake an annual review of customer credit limits
• Develop payment history analysis and reporting to provide clarity on the current and forecast position of the debt ledger as well as proactively sharing ideas.
• Develop and coach the team, set clear expectations and KPIs and support team's performance.
• Ensure collection of outstanding invoices, intercompany and external customers, within the due date. undefined.
• Chase for payments of overdue accounts including sending of dunnings, statements and making calls / sending emails to customers.
• Allocation of payments / credit notes to customer invoices
• Engage with sales department to understand the need to block customer when required
• Forecast cash receipts on a monthly basis and ensure cash is received within the due dates.
• Prepare and maintain the matrix of AR and Credit Control activities to ensure continuity of service for customers
• Reconcile customer accounts with the customer and resolve any reconciliation differences / queries, provide copies of invoices.
• Be the lead AR / Credit Control point of contact involved with system changes, system testing and continuous improvement activities.

This role will report to the Head of Mexico SSC and is a key position within the finance function.

Planning and Decision Making

• The ability to work to deadlines
• Understanding of project management techniques
• Task focused and good influencing skills.
• A good team player

Impact and Scope

• Experience of working with senior management and building good working relationships
• Dealing with difficult customers who may not want to pay our invoices
• Ensure good working environment within the finance team and immediate action to resolve disputes
• Partnering with Internal/External Auditors and Key UK internal business partners

Key Internal and External Relationships

• Senior Sales & General Management in the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Ireland
• Other JC SSCs, AR teams and the Enquiry-to-Cah Global Process Owner
• Finance Managers, Financial controllers and Business Partners
• Customers, banks and credit agencies
• Internal and External Auditors

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field (Corporate Finance, Business Administration, Economics).
• A graduate with a good academic record

Experience

• At least 8 years experience in a senior credit control and accounts receivable role within a large business or Shared Service Centre
• Management skills team and individual development and coaching
• Desire for continual improvement, embracing technology and driving efficient ways of working
• Fast learner with the ability to pick up new systems and processes
• Great attention to detail
• Excellent MS Office skills, particularly Excel (v-lookup, pivot tables)
• Numerate with accounting knowledge
• A flexible approach and the ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision is essential
• Key Internal and External Relationships
• C1 Fluency in business English and Spanish – written and spoken

Additional Information

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardlessof race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud tobe an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

Additional Information

According our mission, vision and Global Policies: Under no circumstances shall Staff be charged any fee or other costs in relation to their recruitment to work at Smiths, whether directly or indirectly. Any recruitment fees shall be paid by Smiths.

Smiths will not employ anyone below the age of 18. Smiths will take reasonable steps to satisfy itself of the member of Staff’s age before that person starts work at Smiths. When persons under the age of 18 are employed, they must not do work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous or harmful or interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school.