Credit Manager - FMCG - CT

Position Purpose

To manage the Credit Controllers to collect all outstanding debt, process claims in a timely manner and ensure all customers are dealt with consistently and courteously.

• Build and maintain sound business relationships with:
  • Customers (Key Accounts, Distributors)
  • Fellow employees (Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Customer Services)
• Process claims timeously and accurately, ensuring that backlog is not older than 2 weeks.
• Ensure that all outstanding debt is chased and collected by appropriate medium in a timely manner and that all customers are dealt with consistently and courteously, including but not limited to the following:
  • Resolving returns, shortages, and pricing claims.
  • Markdowns, rebates, and trade promotions.
  • Reconciliation of Key Accounts.
• Payment allocations.
• Oversee month end procedures to ensure that all statements/debt letters are sent out.
• Review all proposed credit limits for new customers and authorize as appropriate.
• Ensure credit limits are regularly reviewed.
• Ensure that the hold list is processed in a timely manner and outstanding orders kept to minimum to make sure that decision making on order release is consistent.
• Undertake all legal action for Credit Control.
• Provide constructive feedback at weekly Credit Control meetings with direct reports and the Head of Corporate Finance.
• Achieve targeted Days Sales Outstanding as agreed upon in goal setting.
• Assist with year‑end statutory audit.
• Understanding and review of existing internal control processes.
• Assist with training of new credit controllers.
• Prepare monthly over 60 days outstanding reports.
• Responsible for understanding, complying with, creating and recommending updates to the policies and procedures related to the credit control functions.
• Maintain current knowledge of the Fair Debt Collection Act, The National Credit Act and all state and federal laws and regulations applying to credit granting or collection activities.
• Provide robust forecasting on DSO, AR balance, and cash inflows to support company cashflow forecasting.
• Process champion for driving SAP improvements in the department.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong PC skills including SAP and Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – able to influence and communicate clearly at all levels.
• Quick comprehension.
• Handles conflict with customers in most effective and professional manner.
• Able to set priorities and clear targets.
• High flexibility.
• Able to grow with the level of responsibilities and with the size and structure of the business.

• A minimum of 5 years FMCG experience in Credit Control Management / Supervisory function.
• Credit Management certification and/or finance degree/diploma would be advantageous.
• Good understanding of SA credit regulations/National Credit Act.
• A good understanding of supply chain, customer services and invoice processes.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Use tools and software available in the most effective way to complete day to day activities; credit control SAP experience required.
• Should have a good understanding of the grocery market place expectations i.e. should have experience dealing with national accounts such as Woolworths, Shoprite, Checkers, Pick 'n Pay, Spar, etc. Credit Control experience to effectively manage cash collection process, returns reconciliations and limit days sales outstanding.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical and prioritizing skills.
• Strong PC skills including SAP and Excel.