Credit Team Lead

Job Title: Credit Team Lead
Job Description
The Credit Team Lead protects the business from credit risk by reducing overdue receivables and lowering the cost of carrying accounts receivable. This role leads a team of credit associates, handles higher-risk credit decisions, supports legal recovery activities, and acts as the delegate for the Credit Manager when they are away. The position is ideal for an experienced credit professional who wants to grow into a future management role while contributing to a collaborative, growth-oriented team.
Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and manage the performance of credit associates, including conducting mid-year and annual reviews and supporting short-term incentive plans.
• Participate in hiring decisions and terminations within the credit team, ensuring the team has the right skills and capabilities.
• Coach and motivate team members through regular feedback, recognition and ongoing support.
• Assign work, set priorities, monitor progress and resolve issues to maintain service levels and meet deadlines.
• Act as the Credit Managers delegate and lead the Credit team in their absence.
• Build strong working relationships with Sales, Operations and other internal departments to support business objectives.
• Support location managers with training and coaching on credit-related matters.
• Train new credit associates on processes, systems and credit policies.
• Manage the new location conversion process and oversee the new location credit application package, updating it as required.
• Review high-risk credit decisions for new and existing customers using third-party credit tools, within an approval authority of up to approximately $60K.
• Track bad debt write-off requests, prepare documentation for Credit Manager approval and process related journal entries.
• Prepare and file proofs of claim for bankruptcies, receiverships and CCAA proceedings.
• Record and code payments received from trustees, receivers and third-party collectors.
• Evaluate accounts of financial concern or those beyond individual approval limits and make recommendations to the Credit Manager.
• Respond promptly and professionally to internal and external customer inquiries regarding credit and accounts receivable.
• Communicate with legal counsel, senior management and external counterparties on credit issues and recovery actions.
• Support legal proceedings, including third-party assignments, liens, statements of claim, writs of enforcement and judgment collection.
• Facilitate vehicle seizures related to liens, working with internal and external stakeholders as needed.
• Facilitate the recovery and possession of abandoned vehicles.
• Produce the Accounts Receivable Aged Trial Balance, reconciled to published financial statements, by the third business day of each month.
• Release the aged trial balance to credit reporting agencies by the fifth business day of each month.
• Prepare reports for credit associates and provide ad hoc reporting and analysis as requested.
• Streamline and improve internal credit processes, documenting and maintaining task procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Support the Credit Manager in developing and delivering internal training programs and in maintaining credit-related content on the internal knowledge platform.
• Monitor developments in insolvency law and industry best practices and adjust credit procedures and documentation as needed.
• Participate in safety initiatives as required and promote a safe working environment.
• Proactively assess credit risk with a focus on mitigating risk before it materializes, including occasional customer calls where appropriate.
• Manage a portfolio of customers or business units, ensuring credit risk is controlled and business relationships are supported.

Essential Skills

• CCP designation (Certified Credit Professional), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in the credit industry with a focus on credit risk.
• 12 years of leadership experience, which may include indirect leadership such as mentoring, training or acting as the senior member of a team.
• Working knowledge of accounts receivable, credit and collections processes.
• Experience managing a portfolio of customers or business units.
• Proven ability to perform proactive credit risk assessment and mitigate risk before issues arise.
• Knowledge of lien rights and requirements related to secured assets and vehicles.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and building reports for team leads and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word for preparing documentation, correspondence and reports.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment in credit decision-making.
• Openness to feedback and a willingness to continuously improve.
• Proactively collaborative working style, partnering with team members and business stakeholders by default.
• Business partner mindset with genuine enthusiasm for helping the business improve performance.
• Leadership appetite and a genuine desire to lead and develop people.
• Long-term growth orientation, with the ability and desire to grow into a future management role.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Accounting or business degree.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365).
• Experience with Power BI for reporting and analytics.
• Experience with bankruptcy, receivership and CCAA filings.
• Automotive services or equipment industry experience, such as car dealerships, vehicle or equipment repair and sales.
• Knowledge of Garage Keepers Lien processes.
• Experience in a multi-location or retail environment.
• Formal leadership experience with direct reports.
• Comfort working in a feedback-rich environment with open and widely shared feedback models.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong team culture and contribute to a collaborative, social work environment.

Work Environment
This role is based in a hybrid work environment, typically involving four days in the office and one day working remotely each week. The team is collaborative, social and highly focused on culture, valuing individuals who want to drive the business forward and act as true business partners. You will work closely with Sales, Operations, legal counsel and senior leadership, using tools such as Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables and advanced lookup functions), Microsoft Word, Microsoft Dynamics AX, D365 and, where applicable, Power BI. The work involves managing credit risk, producing time-sensitive reports and supporting legal and recovery activities, all within a structured yet supportive environment. The position offers a short-term incentive plan, three weeks of vacation, six flex days, RRSP matching and a clear pathway to move into a future Manager role as leadership opportunities open. The culture emphasizes open feedback, professional growth, safety and continuous improvement in credit processes.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Edmonton, AB.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $42.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Edmonton, AB.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Edmonton,AB.