Credit Manager

The Credit Manager is responsible for the delivery of high quality, ongoing operation of the credit and collections processes, applied to customers in a range of geographic territories. This role will be responsible for proposing changes and improvements to the existing Credit Risk & Collection Strategy and rolling out processes and procedures which are aligned to the existing S&N Control framework.

The Credit Manager will work with a cross-functional stakeholder base (Finance, Commercial & Legal) to improve process and resolve issues to ensuring that the target Day-Sales-Outstanding is met.  

The role will design appropriate governance structures to minimize bad debt exposure to S&N over the credit management process (including monitoring & management of credit limit balances, blocked order releases and annual credit limit re-approvals) and the Collection Strategy in conjunction with Collections Team Lead (including AR monitoring, collections, dispute management, bad debt provision calculation and AR write-off).

The role holder will own the identification and implementation of Continuous Improvement in the operational processes and performance. This will include monitoring and optimization of activities currently performed, review and approval of all relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), mentoring and training GBS team members, and identification and migration of further activities as appropriate.

The role holder works in close unison with commercial team and finance business partner. Where appropriate the Credit Manager will visit select customers in person to negotiate payment plans and improvement in debt.
 

Responsibilities:

• Devise and manage operation of the Credit Management and Collections Strategy
• Close cooperation with commercial teams and key distributor customers
• Working with Collections Team Leads and Finance Operation Controller/Business Partner to set up and monitor monthly collections targets in line with a standard framework
•  Operation and maintenance of Global Credit Management timetable of activities – including execution of key financial controls
• Minimize DSO, Aging and write off of debt
• Liaise with management in other functions (Sales, Customer Service, Order management) to improve the end-to-end process and unblock / resolve long running disputes and identify their root causes
• Manage customer credit limits in accordance with the Business Unit Strategy, ensuring sign off in alignment with Delegated Authority Matrix (DAM). Proactively monitor customer credit limit headroom to minimize blocked orders.
• Set the Business Unit rules and monitor compliance for the approval or Order Releases in accordance with the S&N Delegation of Authority Matrix. Embed rules within the system workflows, if not possible, design a compliant and efficient manual workflow approval process.
• Ensure appropriate governance structures are in place for disputed customer balances which lead to alternative payment arrangements (e.g. Payment plans), transfer of aged debt into the legal process, write-offs of debt.
• Ensure appropriate reporting is in place for teams to proactively monitor credit worthiness (AR ageing, credit limit headroom) and determine actions where there are changes in status that may impact DSO
• Review and approve SOPs
• Mentor and train Credit & Collections staff on market specifics and the localized collections strategy
• Creating procedures and policies that ensure timely payments while maintaining a high level of customer retention
• Act as an escalation point for commercial, Customer Service and OTC teams
• Site visits / face-to-face contact with key customers

Requirements:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in Credit Management and Collections.
• Demonstrates experience in analyzing financial data, drawing sound conclusions and developing proposals/solutions.
• Must have strong credit control experience.
• Must be able to demonstrate past track record of success in Order-To-Cash cycle deliverables
• Must be able to demonstrate working knowledge of financial statements and key ratios relevant for credit risk analysis
• Knowledge of SAP FI/CO within order-to-cash space, or other industry standard ERP
• Must have experience of working with cross functional senior stakeholders and be able to effectively influence commercial business outcomes
• Accounting qualification is an asset
• Must be fluent in English and Spanish (Portuguese is an asset)