Credit Control Manager

Our client has a legacy of the oldest family-run conglomerate with their business including manufacturing, food and beverage, real estate, distribution, and solutions providers in the UAE, KSA, Qatar, and Oman.

The Manager Credit Control is responsible for the management of the credit control function. This role includes setting credit policies, analyzing credit risk, optimizing cash flow, and leading the credit control team. The Manager will work closely with sales, finance, and operations teams to support business growth while minimizing the company's exposure to bad debt.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Policy Development:
   Develop, implement, and continuously refine the company’s credit policies and procedures.
   Define credit control objectives and deliverables that align with organizational goals.
   Stay updated on industry standards and economic factors that impact credit management.
2. Credit Risk Assessment and Management:
   Oversee credit risk assessment for new and existing clients, ensuring the balance between credit risk and business growth.
   Evaluate financial statements, credit reports, and payment history to set appropriate credit limits.
   Work with senior management to set and adjust company credit terms as necessary.
3. Cash Flow Optimization:
   Ensure timely collection of outstanding receivables and maintain a low delinquency rate.
   Implement strategies to optimize the company’s cash flow, reducing the days sales outstanding (DSO).
   Use forecasting techniques to anticipate and mitigate cash flow issues.
4. Team Leadership and Development:
   Lead, coach, and develop the credit control team to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
   Conduct periodic performance reviews and provide training to enhance the team’s skills in credit management and negotiation.
   Build a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the team.
5. Debt Collection and Dispute Resolution:
   Oversee debt collection processes and manage relationships with approved collection agencies and legal teams.
   Develop and implement dispute resolution processes to resolve outstanding credit issues effectively.
   Personally handle escalated cases involving large accounts or sensitive client relationships.
6. Stakeholder Collaboration:
   Collaborate with sales and finance to ensure credit terms are balanced with business objectives.
   Work closely with the legal team to review and enforce credit agreements and terms of trade.
   Engage with external stakeholders, such as financial institutions and credit rating agencies, to assess creditworthiness.
7. Financial Analysis and Reporting:
   Provide regular reports on credit control performance, including DSO, aging reports, bad debt provisions, and collection effectiveness.
   Analyze data to identify trends, potential issues, and improvement opportunities in the credit control process.
   Present findings and recommendations to senior management to guide strategic decision-making.
8. Process Improvement and Technology:
   Evaluate and implement technology solutions to streamline credit control processes, including automation of invoicing, payment tracking, and reminders.
   Continuously assess credit control procedures for efficiency and effectiveness, implementing best practices as needed.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. CICM and/or CPA is required. An MBA is a plus.
2. 10 years of experience in credit control, with at least 5 years in a management role.
3. Proven experience leading, managing, and developing high-performing teams.
4. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess risk and make informed decisions.
5. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with clients and internal teams.
6. Proficiency in negotiation, especially with large clients and complex cases.