Credit Specialist

Makino•Mason, OH

About The Position

The Credit Specialist is responsible for managing the company's credit risk and collection activities while protecting Makino's financial interests and supporting profitable customer relationships. This position evaluates customer creditworthiness, analyzes and recommends credit limits and payment terms, develops collection strategies, and partners with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex account issues and escalates highly complex matters as appropriate. The Credit Specialist serves as a liaison between customers, Sales, Service, Finance, and executive leadership regarding credit and collection matters. Success in this role requires sound business judgment, analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to influence outcomes while maintaining positive customer relationships. This position plays a critical role in improving cash flow, minimizing financial risk, reducing delinquent accounts, and supporting the organization's overall financial objectives.

Requirements

Strong analytical and financial problem-solving skills.
Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and customer relationship management skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
Sound judgment and the ability to make independent credit recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and external customers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and financial reporting tools.
Experience working within ERP systems, preferably SAP.
Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and support timely resolution of complex account issues.
High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel with the ability to learn and use SAP transactions, reporting tools and additional Excel functions as needed.

Responsibilities

Maintain and update the customer master data in the system, ensuring it is complete, accurate, and consistent.
Evaluate customer creditworthiness through credit reporting services, payment history, and other available financial information.
Analyze and recommend credit limits and payment terms for approval.
Develop and execute collection strategies for machine, parts, service, spindle, distributor, and consumable receivables.
Investigate and resolve complex collection issues while maintaining positive customer relationships and escalating highly complex matters to management.
Negotiate payment arrangements and other mutually acceptable resolutions with customers within established authority levels.
Identify high-risk accounts and recommend appropriate actions to management to minimize financial exposure and potential bad debt.
Partner with the internal finance team to identify financing opportunities, including leases, equipment financing, and other credit solutions that support customer purchases while protecting company cash flow.
Review customer aging reports and prioritize collection efforts based on risk, exposure, and delinquency trends.
Coordinate with Sales, Service, Parts, Accounting, Legal, and executive leadership to resolve customer disputes impacting payment.
Participate in cross-functional meetings to address machine issues, service concerns, warranty matters, and other situations affecting collections.
Monitor customer accounts for changes in financial condition and proactively identify emerging credit risks.
Maintain accurate account documentation and collection records in accordance with company policies.
Ensure compliance with company credit policies, financial controls, and applicable regulations.
Prepare and maintain recurring credit and collection reports and retrieve, compile and analyze customer account information from SAP for reporting and other business needs.