AR Credit Manager

Company: Sterling Engineering Inc.
Location: Chicago
Posted on: January 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Title: AR Credit Manager Location : Chicago, IL (Fully Onsite) Pay Rate : $80K-$90k based on experience Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401K *Must come from distribution or manufacturing industry* Are you a results-driven credit and collections professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment? Do you enjoy leading teams, optimizing processes, and making a direct impact on cash flow and risk management? If so, this role is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a critical function and drive meaningful results within a growing organization. We are seeking a AR Credit Manager to lead our credit and accounts receivable team. This individual will play a key role in safeguarding company assets, optimizing collections performance, and building strong partnerships across Finance, Sales, and Operations. The right candidate will bring both strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, ensuring our credit and collections processes are efficient, compliant, and customer-focused. What You’ll Do: Lead and mentor the Accounts Receivable (AR) team to achieve excellence in invoicing, reconciliation, and collections. Enhance processes around credit approvals, collections, risk management, and customer communications to drive efficiency and reduce DSO. Review and approve credit applications, set credit terms, and collaborate with Sales and Finance to align risk with business growth. Personally handle due diligence for major accounts to ensure informed credit decisions. Maintain up-to-date customer credit files, including payment history, scores, and trade credit thresholds. Proactively resolve invoice disputes, balancing firm collection practices with positive customer relationships. Deliver insightful KPI reports and dashboards to leadership, highlighting opportunities for improvement and risk mitigation. Identify and implement automation, process improvements, and risk reduction initiatives. Partner with executive leadership to forecast cash flow and optimize collections strategies. Ensure adequate staffing, resources, and training are in place to support a high-performing AR and Billing team. What You Bring: 10 years of progressive experience in credit and collections management. Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field (preferred). Strong knowledge of credit-related laws, regulations, and best practices. Proven ability to negotiate effectively and resolve customer disputes. Track record of leading teams, developing talent, and driving measurable results. Proficiency with Excel, ERP/CRM systems (NetSuite preferred), and financial reporting tools. Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner across departments and influence outcomes. Analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Keywords: Sterling Engineering Inc., Oak Park , AR Credit Manager, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois