Group Credit Manager

Big things are happening at Topps Group. As Britain’s largest specialist tile retailer, selling only the very best quality on-trend products, £1 of every £3 spent in the UK domestic tile market is spent with us. We’ve got 300 stores and have just hit record sales. And we’re as big on career opportunities as we are on outstanding service and great value. After all, it’s brilliant, friendly, knowledgeable people that make us special. Right now we’re on a journey of exciting growth, as we build on seven consecutive years of success – there’s never been a better time to join the Topps family

We are currently recruiting for a Group Credit Manager to lead our expanding credit function!

Key Accountabilities  

Customer / Strategy / Plan

• To work with other Group functions to develop and optimise the Group’s credit offering.
• Manage and lead the credit control team, ensuring the timely and effective collection of outstanding debts including issue of LBA’s and Legal proceedings.
• Dealing with queries to drive reduction in outstanding debtor balances.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, such as sales and customer service teams, to resolve credit-related issues and ensure continuous improvement of the order to cash process.
• Develop, implement and maintain a suite of KPIs and support monthly performance reporting.
• Handle escalated customer queries and disputes, providing timely and satisfactory resolutions.

Financial / Commercials

• Work with trade customers where debt recovery processes are required.
• Oversee the credit assessment of new customers and evaluate credit limits.
• Oversee and input into requirements for bad debt provisions.
• Monitor and review credit control processes, policies and procedures to optimise cash flow and minimise bad debt.
• Liaise with external third parties, including the Company’s auditors as required.

Risk and process

• Ensure appropriate processes exist within the finance team to identify key areas of debt risk and implement appropriate controls to manage those risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and internal policies
• Management of Credit insurance policies and processes.

Decision Making/Freedom to Act: 

• Day to day responsibility for managing the Group’s Credit Control Team and associated processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

Essential                                                

• Experience in managing a credit control function
• Strong understanding of credit control principles, practices, and regulations
• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• Strong leadership and people management abilities
• Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure

Desirable

• CICM Qualification or equivalent
• Experience in in both Trade and Commercial debt collection
• Change management experience
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Dynamics.
• Advanced Excel skills including the use of formulas, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, SUMIF/SUMProduct.

In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded, you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success - up to 25% of your base salary.   Then there’s a generous staff discount, a Share Save scheme, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus flexible working, free on-site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We’re committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you’ll be well-supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer.