We are seeking an experienced Regional Credit Director with a strong background in multi-state credit operations. This in-office role will oversee credit operations and risk management strategies for the Central region, managing credit policies, procedures, and the team responsible for credit risk evaluation, approval, and portfolio management. The director will collaborate closely with senior management, business partners, and external stakeholders to ensure effective credit risk management while supporting business growth. 

Responsibilities:

Credit Risk Management:

• Oversee and direct credit risk activities for the Central region, ensuring alignment with the company's risk appetite and overall business strategy
• Oversee credit underwriting processes, including assessment of creditworthiness, approval, and monitoring of customer credit limits for new and existing customers.
• Establish and implement credit policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance across the region.
• Conduct in-depth credit analysis for complex accounts and high-risk exposures.
• Develop and implement strategic and efficient processes for managing order release decisions.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies for higher risk customers, where appropriate. Strategies may include obtaining guarantees, filing liens or obtaining collateral. 
• Oversee collections efforts, negotiate payment arrangements, and resolve disputes efficiently to minimize bad debt.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal credit laws, lien laws, and industry-specific regulations.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Supervise and mentor teams of credit analysts, collectors and customer service representatives to ensure high-performance standards and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative and performance-driven team culture.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and implement continuous improvement initiatives for the credit team.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Work closely with sales to ensure alignment in credit strategy and resolution of credit-related issues.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to establish regional credit goals and strategies that contribute to overall business growth.
• Serve as the key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders for credit-related inquiries.

Risk Monitoring & Reporting:

• Evaluate the performance of the regional credit portfolio, analyzing trends, delinquency rates, and potential risks.
• Provide regular reports and presentations to senior management regarding credit exposure, portfolio performance, aging reports, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Advise on credit limit and term adjustments based on portfolio performance and evolving market conditions.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, regional, and international credit regulations and standards.
• Continuously evaluate and refine credit policies to align with industry developments and regulatory requirements.

Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to the development of regional credit strategies that support the overall business objectives.
• Analyze market conditions, competitor activities, and economic trends to proactively refine credit policies and practices.
• Provide charge-off recommendations.

Education and Experience:

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s or MBA is a plus).
• 8-10 years of experience in credit risk management, including at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• In-Depth knowledge of credit risk analysis, credit scoring models, and financial statement analysis.
• Proven experience in managing cross-functional teams and influencing senior management.
• Knowledge of state-by-state regulations pertaining to filing liens.
• Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced expertise in Excel.
• Occasional travel may be required

Preferred Skills:

• Certification such as Certified Credit Professional (CCP) is an advantage.