SUMMARY:

New Vacancy: F&I Department Manager

About the Position

POSITION INFO:

Job Description

Departmental Oversight

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the department, ensuring efficient workflows and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Manage departmental risk, including arrears, defaults, recoveries, and compliance requirements.
• Provide ongoing training, guidance, and support to new staff members.
• Oversee both internally managed (OEM self-funded) and externally managed (Sinosure-funded) books, monitoring exposure, pending approvals, and available limits for South African and cross-border clients.
• Develop, implement, and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines to optimize processes, strengthen controls, and ensure compliance.

Credit and Risk Management

• Perform senior credit analyst functions, including credit risk assessments, financial analysis, bank statement analysis, credit scoring, client risk grading, and risk mitigation.
• Manage credit limits, approvals, portfolio reviews, and the monitoring of portfolio performance and emerging trends.
• Implement a flexible credit assessment process tailored to individual client requirements, including the translation of documentation and currency conversions where necessary.
• Submit the initial term sheet for new transactions, together with supporting documentation, to secure formal approval and establish the applicable conditions of grant.
• Prepare and issue approval letters to clients.
• Compile, analyse, and present comprehensive performance reports to the Executive Committee, providing clear visibility of departmental achievements, operational challenges, and opportunities for strategic improvement.
• Collaborate with the Sales team by participating in weekly sales meetings to review new opportunities, monitor the progress of pending transactions, and provide guidance on optimal deal structuring.
• Support Sales teams during strategic client visits by providing expert credit and risk guidance.

Collections and Debtors Management

• Oversee debtor management, collections, and allocations to ensure timely payments and minimize bad debt exposure.
• Manage interim financial assistance activities, including debit order loading, account reconciliations, submission of monthly client statements, and preparation of weekly and monthly reports.
• Facilitate structured collection processes and payment arrangements through regular meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor arrears trends, implement proactive recovery strategies, and provide executive reporting on debtor book performance.
• Drive continuous process improvements and advocate for appropriate resources to strengthen collections efficiency, controls, and oversight.

Legal and Compliance

• Supervise legal processes, including client communications, repossession procedures, and correspondence with attorneys.
• Ensure compliance with contractual documentation requirements and security registrations.
• Manage validations and fulfilment processes, ensuring all contractual and supporting documentation meets required compliance standards and that monthly covenants are fulfilled.
• Maintain audit readiness through effective management of registers, files, and supporting documentation required for compliance reviews and audits.

Asset Management

• Oversee vehicle and asset management activities, including registrations, tracking services, and security requirements.
• Conduct audits of financed assets on an as-needed basis.
• Manage the release process for NATIS documents and maintain accurate records.

Procurement and Payment Functions

Procurement Oversight

• Manage procurement requests (PRs) and purchase orders (POs), ensuring compliance with company approval processes and procedures.

Payment Submission

• Oversee the submission of PRs and POs to facilitate timely vendor payments, liaising with Finance and Procurement teams as required.

Vendor Engagement

• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve queries, ensure contractual compliance, and maintain effective and professional vendor relationships.

Leadership and Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the team, including development planning and the fair redistribution of responsibilities following staffing changes.
• Design and implement incentive frameworks that promote fairness, transparency, employee engagement, and alignment with company objectives.
• Develop succession planning and business continuity strategies to ensure operational continuity during staffing transitions.

Strategic Engagement

• Conduct industry research to remain informed of market trends, regulatory developments, and changing market conditions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Sales, Marketing, and other departments to ensure alignment with broader company strategies and objectives.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with external financial institutions where applicable.
• Liaise with customers and dealers to resolve queries, address concerns, and maintain strong business relationships.
• Drive departmental revenue growth through new business opportunities, pricing optimization, and cost-saving initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• Provide constructive support to management and foster positive working relationships within the department.
• Manage workload effectively while maintaining high standards of accuracy, accountability, and work ethic.
• Build and maintain effective communication channels with internal and external stakeholders.
• Actively participate in relevant training and development programs.
• Continuously enhance knowledge and skills within the team.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Health and Safety regulations.
• Adhere strictly to company policies, procedures, controls, and asset management protocols.
• Maintain organized housekeeping, filing, and record-keeping systems.
• Demonstrate effective time management and prioritization skills.

Minimum Requirements

• Matric Certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience in managing cross-border finance and compliance frameworks.
• Valid Code 8 driver’s licence.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align departmental objectives with broader company goals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in reading and writing English.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and mentor teams.
• Sound knowledge of compliance requirements, legal documentation, and audit readiness.