Team Leader, Credit & Collections (Fixed-Term)

at  Thermo Fisher Scientific

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Team Leader of the Credit and Collections team, your role will involve overseeing the operations and performance of the team. The primary objective is to achieve all Accounts Receivable (AR) targets, including cash collected, minimizing bad debt, and reducing overdue debt while ensuring adherence to Service level agreements (SLAs) on credit risk management. Additionally, you will be expected to meet the company’s targets for effective team management and engagement.
The role would suit a candidate with excellent rapport-building ability, strong verbal and written communication skills, strong people management and leadership. Skills. Experience in credit and collections and passion to achieve critical metrics are crucial to fully grasp the complexity of the role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for performance management and development of team through regular 1-1s and portfolio reviews
• Responsible for achieving the direct team’s target by daily management of Key Performance Indicators.
• Review and sign off on customer credit limits, maintaining an appropriate level of credit risk, including analyzing and approving credit applications.
• Lead the collection process for delinquent accounts to ensure a strong receivable, including establishing relationships with collection agencies and attorneys.
• Resolve disputes with customers and other departments in a timely manner.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service managers and Commercial teams to improve credit quality and cash flow and to ensure efficient processes.
• Provide support in collecting high-risk accounts.
• Maintain accurate documentation and information in customer credit files, in compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate effectively with Internal and External Audit teams to facilitate testing procedures.
• Drive a culture of continuous operational improvements to create lean processes and standardization
• Undertake other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
• Ensure the performance of all tasks is carried out in line with company policies, internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Align equal employment opportunity laws, regulations and company policies related to discrimination in hiring, performance managing, promotion, and compensation, including sexual harassment.

EXPERIENCE

• Fluent in English
• University or College degree / degree in accounting or finance is an advantage
• Previous experience in leading an operational team in accounts receivable or customer service function dealing with Governmental as well as Commercial customers is preferred
• Relevant software application proficiency is required (e.g., Oracle E1, SAP, CForia, etc.)
• Excellent digital literacy and knowledge of the Microsoft Office software is required (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Strong leadership skills, ability to inspire and motivate team members, set clear expectations, and provide guidance and support.
• Effective communication skills are critical in order to convey expectations, provide feedback, and lead successful negotiations.
• Strong problem-solving skills to handle complex situations, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
• Analytical skills, able to interpret financial data, credit reports, and customer information to make informed decisions and accurate forecast of important metrics and manage credit risk effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills: being able to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Working collaboratively with other departments, such as Sales and Customer Service, to improve credit quality and cash flow.
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with customers, collection agencies, and attorneys to ensure effective debt recovery.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing business needs and priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in credit assessments, documentation, and reporting.
• Knowledge of regulations: Staying up to date with laws and regulations related to credit, collections, bankruptcy, and other relevant areas.

• Responsible for performance management and development of team through regular 1-1s and portfolio reviews
• Responsible for achieving the direct team’s target by daily management of Key Performance Indicators.
• Review and sign off on customer credit limits, maintaining an appropriate level of credit risk, including analyzing and approving credit applications.
• Lead the collection process for delinquent accounts to ensure a strong receivable, including establishing relationships with collection agencies and attorneys.
• Resolve disputes with customers and other departments in a timely manner.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service managers and Commercial teams to improve credit quality and cash flow and to ensure efficient processes.
• Provide support in collecting high-risk accounts.
• Maintain accurate documentation and information in customer credit files, in compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate effectively with Internal and External Audit teams to facilitate testing procedures.
• Drive a culture of continuous operational improvements to create lean processes and standardization
• Undertake other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
• Ensure the performance of all tasks is carried out in line with company policies, internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Align equal employment opportunity laws, regulations and company policies related to discrimination in hiring, performance managing, promotion, and compensation, including sexual harassment