Credit Manager Key Accounts Private Label & Exports
Shared Services / Finance
Accountable for quality, standards, service and desired outputs within inter-related functional areas of responsibility. May be responsible for the work of others. This role will work with various closely related concrete variables, requiring an understanding of the theory or practices underpinning inter-related functional processes. The role balances commercial growth support with effective credit risk management and cash flow optimisation.
Job Purpose
The purpose of the Credit Manager is to oversee the comprehensive management of accounts receivable for Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports, optimising processes, ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards, and supporting the achievement of the organisation’s financial objectives. The role manages the credit control function across these portfolios, optimises cash flow, minimises bad debt risk, ensures efficient resolution of claims, and enforces the company’s credit policy. It also involves resolving disputes, fostering strong relationships with key customers, and providing essential support to the AR Supervisor, while leading and developing a high-performing credit team that contributes to sustainable sales growth.
Key Accountabilities and Outputs
Credit Risk & Policy Management
Develop, maintain and enforce the company’s credit policy and procedures across Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports.
Oversee credit assessments, limit approvals and ongoing risk monitoring of the debtor portfolio for all three portfolios.
Manage credit checks, new account openings and special payment arrangements to minimise financial risk.
Monitor credit exposure, portfolio risk and ensure compliance with the National Credit Act and internal controls.
Ensure accurate application of the National Credit Act across all managed accounts.
Monitor and review any special payment arrangements with customers.
Assess and maintain customer credit ratings and limits for Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports.
Accounts Receivable, Collections & Cash Flow Management
Lead and manage the end-to-end accounts receivable function for Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports, overseeing payments, collections and reconciliations.
Manage and effectively coordinate the processing of payments/collections and review of reconciliations.
Drive achievement of DSO targets, collection targets and reduction of overdue accounts across all portfolios.
Maintain the age analysis within the Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) target.
Oversee accurate payment allocation, reconciliations and month-end processes.
Ensure accounts are effectively monitored and maintained, including monthly audit reviews of debtor reconciliations.
Track and monitor performance of AR processes against KPIs and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Continuously review and identify gaps and opportunities for AR process optimisation.
Design and implement AR Policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
Automation of manual procedures and processes
Effectively resolve customer disputes in relation to payments owed.
Reconcile and manage foreign debtors, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of foreign payments (critical for Exports).
Output: Healthy cash flow, reduced debtor days and minimised bad debt.
Claims Management & Stakeholder Relationships
Ensure timely validation, processing and resolution of customer claims and disputes.
Build strong partnerships with Sales, Finance, Operations and key customers across Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports.
Collaborate with legal teams to discuss debt repayment terms and conditions where required.
Assist in managing complex documents related to customer master data for Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports.
Output: Efficient claims resolution and constructive commercial relationships.
General Operational & Financial Management
Actively participate in operational planning and budgeting processes.
Drive continuous improvement by streamlining and optimising relevant operational practices, processes and systems.
Automate manual procedures and processes.
Ensure adherence to operational and financial frameworks of practices, processes, standards and controls.
Control costs and take the necessary action to mitigate any financial risks or non-compliance. Consolidate standard reporting including cash forecasts and planning information for Key Accounts, Private Label and Exports.
Support the AR Supervisor and AR Manager with ad-hoc requirements.
Team Leadership, Reporting & Governance
Lead, coach and develop the credit control team; implement succession planning.
Deliver accurate month-end reports and insights on credit risk and cash flow.
Ensure audit readiness and continuous improvement of controls and processes.
Output: High-performing team, reliable reporting and strong governance.
Qualifications and Experience
BCom Degree (or equivalent) and/or Credit Management IV Diploma essential.
Minimum 8 years’ experience in credit control, with at least 5 years in a management or supervisory role
Proven experience in FMCG or manufacturing environments preferred.
Strong proficiency in SAP (ECC/S4 HANA preferred) and advanced Microsoft Excel.
Sound knowledge of the National Credit Act and credit risk principles.
Engagement with multiple stakeholders in the business in order to support & deliver on objectives.
Experience building robust business processes.
Driving automation of manual processes.
Behavioural Competencies
Leadership & Collaboration
Strong leadership and people-management skills.
Advanced communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
Ability to work under pressure in a high-volume environment.
Meets commitments to team members or others in the organisation.
Shares expertise and resources to help others address their needs.
Seeks to include all those who can contribute to the most successful outcome and those who have a stake in the results.
Actively keeps all stakeholders informed.
Attempts to reinvigorate team processes when progress is lagging: stays engaged even when not in full agreement with the team’s direction.
Accountability
Accomplishes assigned tasks and goals: takes necessary actions to keep progress against objectives on track.
Prepares a roadmap for success.
Ensures that all who need to know, are clear about the plan.
Takes full responsibility for own actions and outcomes, including mistakes.
Always acts in the company’s best interest, regardless of whether it is difficult or unpopular.
Ensures others are on track for achieving their goals.
Decision Making
Organises information to make it easier to analyse or see trends.
Anticipates consequences and formulates alternatives.
Establishes clear decision criteria for making informed choices.
Seeks relevant information to better understand situations and problems.
Conducts appropriate analysis; neither makes snap decisions or over-analyses.
Sees relationships between various facts, figures or other information.
Analytical Thinking
Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making ability.
Able to take a complex task and breaking it down into manageable parts in a logical, detailed way.
Thinks of multiple explanations or alternatives to a problem
Able to identify the information needed to solve a problem effectively
Performs tasks accurately and thoroughly, making adjustments to ensure needs are met
Considers business priorities when making decisions or analysing the costs and benefits of various alternative solutions.
Planning and Organising
Manages time effectively, ensuring effective completion of tasks under stressful deadlines.
Able to prioritise activities and resources, ensuring that results are achieved effectively.
Able to evaluate progress and make appropriate adjustments to initial plans, ensuring a successful outcome.
Key Qualities
Communication
Communication requiring a high level of diplomacy and sensitivity
Problem Solving
Proactive identification of functional problems related to a specific process or policy, determine cause and impact, and choose the best alternative to solve the problem based on guidelines provided and an understanding of the theory or practices underpinning the problem.
Relationships Maintained
Groups of individuals at a senior management level inside the organisation
Customer- and stakeholder-focused
Leadership
High integrity and ethical leadership.
Results-driven and accountable.
Coaching and mentoring mindset.
Resilience and professionalism.
Employment Equity: In accordance with the company’s Employment
