Credit Analyst

Contract End Date - 30/11/2027

The Credit Analyst is responsible for assessing, monitoring, and managing customer credit risk across Astron Energy's customer portfolios. The role supports profitable business growth by ensuring that customer credit exposure is appropriately evaluated, secured, and managed within Astron Energy's credit policy, trade credit insurance requirements, and Delegation of Authority (DOA) framework.

The incumbent conducts detailed credit assessments, recommends and reviews credit limits, monitors customer financial performance and payment behaviour, and works closely with Sales, Commercial and Finance teams to ensure that credit decisions support both risk management and customer service objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Assessment and Approval

• Evaluate new customer credit applications in accordance with Astron Energy's Credit Policy and established service level agreements.

• Analyse financial statements, management accounts, cash flow information, credit bureau reports, bank references, and trade references.

• Assess customer creditworthiness, financial stability, liquidity, and repayment capacity.

• Prepare comprehensive credit assessment reports and recommendations for approval.

• Recommend appropriate credit limits, payment terms, and security requirements based on risk exposure.

• Ensure all required onboarding documentation is complete before credit facilities are established.

Credit Limit Management

• Assess requests for new credit facilities, credit limit increases, and credit limit reviews.

• Monitor customer exposures against approved credit limits and insurance cover.

• Conduct periodic credit reviews of existing customers in accordance with policy requirements.

• Identify accounts requiring credit limit adjustments or additional security.

• Escalate high-risk exposures and policy exceptions for approval through the appropriate DOA process.

Trade Credit Insurance Administration

• Submit applications to trade credit insurers for new customer cover and credit limit amendments.

• Monitor insurer-approved limits and ensure customer exposures remain within insured levels.

• Liaise with insurance providers regarding customer assessments, cover decisions, and policy requirements.

• Identify and escalate uninsured or partially insured risks.

• Ensure compliance with all trade credit insurance policy conditions.

Portfolio Monitoring and Risk Management

• Monitor assigned customer portfolios to identify emerging credit risks.

• Review customer payment performance, overdue balances, and exposure trends.

• Perform ongoing risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies where required.

• Monitor customers for adverse credit events, legal proceedings, business distress, or significant changes in financial position.

• Support bad debt prevention initiatives and portfolio quality improvement activities.

Working Capital and Collections Support

• Partner with Collections Analysts and Commercial teams to manage overdue accounts and delinquent customers.

• Assist in resolving disputes impacting payment collection.

• Recommend account suspensions, cash-with-order requirements, payment plans, or legal action where necessary.

• Support working capital improvement initiatives through proactive credit risk management.

• Contribute to the achievement of DSO and cash collection targets.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop effective working relationships with Commercial, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Legal, Treasury, and Internal Controls teams.

• Provide guidance on credit risk, payment terms, credit limits, and policy requirements.

• Participate in customer discussions where credit matters require escalation or clarification.

• Balance commercial needs with prudent risk management principles.

Reporting and Compliance

• Prepare and maintain accurate credit risk assessments and customer credit files.

• Produce portfolio, risk, and exposure reports for management.

• Ensure compliance with Astron Energy policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.

• Support internal and external audit reviews.

• Contribute to process improvement and continuous enhancement of credit management practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, BCom, National Diploma, or equivalent qualification in:
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Commerce
  • Economics
  • Risk Management

Preferred Qualifications

• Credit Management qualification.
• Institute of Credit Management South Africa (ICMSA) qualification.
• Professional qualification in credit, finance, or risk management.

Experience

• 3-5 years' experience in corporate credit, credit risk, accounts receivable, or financial analysis.
• Experience assessing customer credit applications and preparing credit recommendations.
• Experience analysing financial statements and determining creditworthiness.
• Experience managing customer credit facilities and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Advantageous:

Experience within the petroleum, energy, manufacturing, wholesale, or FMCG sectors.

• Experience working with trade credit insurance providers.
• Experience using SAP ERP systems.
• Experience supporting working capital and cash flow improvement initiatives.

Technical Competencies

• Financial Statement Analysis
• Credit Risk Assessment
• Financial Ratio Analysis
• Credit Scoring Methodologies
• Trade Credit Insurance Administration
• Accounts Receivable Management
• Working Capital Management
• Exposure Monitoring
• SAP ERP
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Reporting and Data Analytics

Behavioural Competencies

• Business and Commercial Acumen
• Analytical Thinking
• Risk Awareness
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration
• Effective Communication
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement Mindset