Credit Manager

About the role

AECI is hiring a Credit Manager, based in Kempton Park. AECI Plant Health invites suitably qualified internal candidates to apply for the position of Credit Manager, reporting to the Head of Finance within the Finance function. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the effective management of customer credit risk, receivables and cash collections, while supporting business growth through sound credit decision-making, strong financial governance, and effective stakeholder collaboration across the business.

Responsibilities

• The successful incumbent will be responsible for, among others, the following:
• Credit Management and Decision-Making
• Review and approve customer credit applications, limits and payment terms within delegated authority.
• Assess customer payment behaviour, financial position and trading history to support credit decisions.
• Consider seasonal and agricultural market factors when evaluating customer creditworthiness.
• Identify and manage customers exhibiting distressed or delayed payment behaviour.
• Ensure consistent application of credit policies and escalation of higher-risk accounts where necessary.
• Receivables Oversight and Cash Collections
• Oversee the debtors' book to ensure effective management and collection of outstanding accounts.
• Monitor collection performance and ageing trends, implementing interventions where required.
• Manage overdue accounts, payment plans and escalations.
• Align collections activities with overall business priorities.
• Cash Flow Forecasting and Reporting
• Own the forecasting of cash collections and monitor actual collections against forecast.
• Analyse variances and provide meaningful insights to management.
• Prepare regular reporting on receivables performance, risks and collection outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Partner with Sales and operational teams to support customer trading decisions.
• Contribute to customer onboarding, terms of trade and account management processes.
• Maintain regular communication with senior management regarding key debtor risks and developments.
• Process, Control and Governance
• Drive continuous improvement of credit processes, systems and approval frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, governance requirements and applicable legislation.
• Support internal and external audit processes relating to credit and receivables management.
• Leadership and Team Management
• Lead, coach and develop the Credit Control team.
• Manage the performance and development of team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective coordination and execution of daily operational activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or a related field (BCom or equivalent) required.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years’ experience in credit management, receivables or a related finance function.
• Proven experience in a senior role with accountability for credit decisions, collections performance and
• customer accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to apply relevant policies and procedures in managing customer credit within a
• commercial or operational environment.
• Experience in a Credit Manager, Debtors Manager or similar role, or demonstrable experience operating
• at that level of responsibility, advantageous.
• Experience within an agricultural cooperative, financial services, or banking environment will be
• advantageous
• Competencies
• Strong judgement and decision-making ability in assessing customer credit and payment behaviour.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance revenue growth and credit risk.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders across Finance, Sales and operational teams.
• Leadership and ability to drive accountability within the Credit Control team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Employees who meet the above requirements and wish to take the next step in their career are encouraged to apply.