Credit Risk & Debtors Controller

International Trade / Export Environment

• Location: Paarl
• Type: In office/hybrid, permanent, fulltime.
• Salay: Market related and negotiable depending on experience and qualifications

Overview

Our client is seeking a strong, commercially minded Credit Risk & Debtors Controller to take ownership of their debtors, credit risk, and international collections processes. This role is focused on bringing greater structure, control, and proactive risk management across the business’s local and international customer portfolio.

The successful candidate will work closely with marketers, insurers, finance teams, and external stakeholders to manage credit exposure, improve collections processes, and strengthen the company’s overall risk management framework in international markets.

This is not purely an administrative role — the successful candidate will play a key part in commercial decision-making and risk mitigation across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Risk & Exposure Management

• Manage and monitor customer credit limits, including seasonal limit requirements and utilization.
• Work closely with marketers to proactively plan and manage credit exposure requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with credit insurers and external risk partners.
• Investigate alternative solutions where insurance limits are constrained, including shared exposure opportunities within group structures.

Debtors & Collections

• Strengthen and improve the company’s debt collection processes and controls.
• Monitor debtor age analysis and proactively manage overdue accounts.
• Clearly distinguish and manage normal collections, bad debt scenarios, and quality control (QC) claims.
• Drive collections strategies and ensure effective follow-up on outstanding payments.

Client Onboarding & Due Diligence

• Oversee onboarding and pre-screening of new clients.
• Ensure all required contracts and supporting documentation are completed and signed.
• Evaluate customer risk profiles and improve pre-screening solutions across various international regions.

International Payment Risk

• Conduct market research into international banking regulations, liquidity constraints, and payment risks.
• Identify high-risk regions and proactively manage exposure, particularly in markets where payment delays or restrictions are common.
• Develop a strong understanding of international trade payment environments, including regions such as the Middle East.

Risk & Commercial Analysis

• Analyse clearing agents, group company structures, and counterparty relationships to better understand risk flow and insurance implications.
• Support the business with proactive recommendations around risk mitigation and debtor management strategies.
• Assist in improving internal processes, reporting structures, and risk controls.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Law, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Previous experience in debtors, credit control, credit risk, collections, trade finance, or a similar role.
• Strong understanding of debtor management and credit risk principles.
• Experience working with international clients, export environments, or cross-border payments would be highly advantageous.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage with internal stakeholders and external partners at all levels.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is commercially aware, assertive, and proactive, with the ability to manage difficult conversations and drive accountability where needed. They should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and capable of balancing financial risk management with commercial realities.

A combination of legal, accounting, and commercial knowledge would be highly advantageous.