Accounts Receivable Manager

ACCOUNTS RECIEVABLE MANAGER

Finance

Job Purpose

The Accounts Receivable Manager is responsible for leading the accounts receivable function within a fast-paced growing FMCG environment, ensuring accurate billing, timely collections, and optimal cash flow. Operating in a high-volume, customer-centric setting, this role requires strong leadership, process discipline, and relationship management to reduce risk, minimize bad debt, and ensure financial integrity across a broad customer base-including wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and key accounts. The Accounts Receivable Manager will report into the Head of Shared Services.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

1. Accounts Receivable Operations

• Oversee the full accounts receivable cycle, including invoicing, collections, credit control, cash application, and customer account reconciliations.
• Ensure the accurate and timely billing of large volumes of transactions, considering delivery schedules and promotional discounts common in the beverage industry.
• Manage collection processes aligned to customer payment terms (e.g. 7-day, 14-day, 30-day cycles) to ensure healthy DSO and reduce aged debt.
• Collaborate with the sales and distribution teams to resolve pricing, delivery, and rebate disputes that impact payment.
• Maintain accurate AR sub-ledgers, reconcile customer accounts, and ensure proper application of cash and credit notes.
• Manage deductions, claims, and short payments-ensuring proper documentation and resolution.

2. Credit Risk and Customer Relationship Management

• Evaluate and approve credit applications for new customers in line with internal credit policy and risk appetite.
• Review and adjust customer credit limits based on trading history, payment performance, and business risk exposure.
• Monitor key FMCG customers (e.g. national retailers, route-to-market distributors, and independent stores) for payment behavior and escalate risks early.
• Maintain strong relationships with key customers' finance and procurement teams to support cash collection and issue resolutions.
• Ensure accurate application of the National Credit Act

3. Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, train, and support a team of Credit managers, AR clerks and credit controllers in delivering best-in-class receivables performance.
• Set performance targets and KPI's related to DSO, collections, and query turnaround time.
• Foster a high-performance, results-driven culture with a focus on collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular team reviews and support ongoing skills development.
• Assist the business in streamlining the claims process.
• Generate and analyze AR aging reports, customer account status, bad debt provisions, and DSO trends.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly AR reports for senior finance and sales leadership.
• Support the month-end close by ensuring all receivables, provisions, and adjustments are accurately recorded.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, tax regulations (e.g. VAT), and external audit requirements.
• Assist in developing cash flow forecasts based on receivables outlook and planned collections.
• Assisting with any ad-hoc requirements.

4. Reporting, Analysis, and Compliance

Qualifications and Experience

• 3 Year Diploma in Credit Management or Bachelors Degree in Accounting (B.Com 3 years)
  • 3-5 years in an Accounts Receivable or Credit Management role within FMCG or beverage industry - Essential
  • Experience managing high-volume customer accounts, route-to-market complexity, and short payment cycles
  • Experience in managing large sized teams.
  • Strong background in credit risk analysis, cash application, and dispute resolution
  • Credit Management 1 - 3 is mandatory.
  • Advanced SAP experience is recommended (SAP R3 to S4)

Key Qualities

Communication

• Communication requiring a high level of diplomacy and sensitivity

Problem Solving

• Proactive identification of functional problems related to a specific process or policy, determine cause and impact, and choose the best alternative to solve the problem based on guidelines provided and an understanding of the theory or practices underpinning the problem.

Relationships Maintained

• Groups of individuals at a senior management level inside the organisation

Behavioural Competencies

Collaboration

• Helps others with their work.
• Meets commitments to team members or others in the organisation.
• Actively contributes to team discussions and the accomplishment of team work plans.
• Shares expertise and resources to help others address their needs.
• Seeks to include all those who can contribute to the most successful outcome and those who h