Senior Credit Controller

Alistair Group is one of East and Southern Africa’s fastest-growing service companies, providing a variety of self-delivered logistics solutions across several geographies, aimed with the vision to Make Africa Work Better With core competencies in road freight, warehousing, commodity trading and operational hire of material handling equipment, the Group strives for continuous expansion of innovative ancillary services to grow the business vertically, complimented by a healthy dose of entrepreneurial flair. The business has gone from strength to strength, growing quickly in both its geographical coverage and variety of services offered to clients. In 2024, the Group exceeded the 1000 employee mark and managed a fleet of well over 1000 trucks. With Alistair’s aggressive and exciting growth strategy, the Group is poised for significant further expansion and a greater impact in Africa.

**Core Services**:

- Freight Forwarding
- Clearance & Forwarding
- Energy Industry Support Services
- Equipment Rental
- Commodity Trading
- Integrated Solutions
- Warehousing
- Ocean Freight

**Industries**:

- Mining
- Oil & Gas
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Explosives
- Renewables

**Mission**
To make Africa work better

**Company Values**
Honesty, Customer Focus, Continual Improvement, Humility, and Safety.

**Accountabilities & Responsibilities**
**Primary Responsibilities**:
The Lead Credit Controller will oversee and manage the AR department's daily operations, ensuring timely and accurate collection of outstanding payments and resolution of customer accounts. This role will lead a team of AR specialists, optimizing processes, ensuring compliance with company policies, and driving continuous improvement in the department’s efficiency and effectiveness.
This role is integral to maintaining healthy cash flow and supporting the financial health of the company. The Lead Credit Controller will contribute significantly to the company's financial success by ensuring efficient collections and strong customer relationships.

**Team Leadership & Management**:

- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of AR specialists, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
- Set clear performance goals for the team, monitor progress, and provide regular feedback.
- Conduct regular team meetings to communicate updates, set priorities, and address challenges.
- Train and support team members in AR best practices, system usage, and customer communication.
- Taking the lead in effective debt collection and providing training in best practices.

**Accounts Receivable & Credit Management**:

- Monitoring the invoicing process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of invoicing with the correct supporting documents.
- Oversee the management of aging accounts, prioritize collections, and resolve disputes professionally..
- Manage and conduct the collection process, including communication with customers, follow-ups, and escalations.
- Ensure debtor records are updated and maintained.
- Perform credit vetting and provide recommendations on credit risk.

**Reporting & Analysis**:

- Prepare and analyze AR reports, including aging reports, cash flow forecasts, and account reconciliation summaries.
- Identify and implement strategies to improve collection rates and reduce overdue accounts.
- Provide regular updates to management on AR performance, key metrics, and improvement initiatives.
- Monitor and report on AR aging, identifying trends and potential issues early to minimize delinquencies

**Process Improvement & Compliance**:

- Review and refine AR processes and workflows for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure adherence to payment terms, credit policies, and company standards.
- Identify automation and technology solutions to streamline AR processes and improve productivity.
- Implement best practice collection processes.

**Customer Relationship Management**:

- Maintain strong relationships with key customers to facilitate timely payments and resolve issues or disputes.
- Collaborate with the sales and customer service teams to address billing or payment-related concerns.
- Provide exceptional customer service while focusing on cash flow and collections goals.

**Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams**:

- Work closely with the finance, sales, and operations teams to ensure alignment and resolve any discrepancies or concerns related to accounts receivable.
- Participate in monthly financial close activities and collaborate on budgeting and forecasting efforts.

**Skills & Qualifications**
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- Proven experience in effective collection skills. (5+)
- Proven experience in accounts receivable (7 +), with at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of AR processes, financial reporting, and accounting principles.
- Proficient in accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks) and Microsoft Office Suit