Administrative Assistant in Carlisle

We are looking for a highly organised and detail-focused Administration Assistant to join our Credit Control Department in our Carlisle Head Office on a temporary, part-time basis. This is a key support role within the team, helping to ensure aged debt is managed efficiently while delivering a professional and empathetic service to our customers. You will play an important part in resolving customer queries, processing payments accurately and supporting the wider team to meet departmental targets. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, is confident communicating with customers, and takes pride in accuracy and organisation. This is a 20 hour per week role, covering our colleagues' maternity leave.

ABOUT US

Every day we provide rural and agricultural communities with the support they need to succeed. Whether they are after a healthier herd or flock, increased yields, faster growth rates, a decent return on their land or even just a helping hand. We have the people, products, and services to help our customers get from where they are now to where they want to be. This is why every role at Carr's Billington is hugely important to our shared success and why we welcome talent from across all different backgrounds to work across our retail, feed, machinery, fuel and central support divisions. Carr's Billington Agriculture is a subsidiary company of The Billington Group, who are also the proud owner of Criddle Co., English Provender Company and Billington Foods.

THE JOB

As Administration Assistant - Credit Control, you will support the team with the day-to-day administration of customer accounts and payments. Your responsibilities will include:

• Handling customer queries via multiple channels, including inbound calls, emails and face-to-face, in a polite and professional manner
• Taking and processing customer payments, both in person and over the phone
• Assisting with the cash allocation process, ensuring payments are allocated accurately and in a timely manner
• Setting up customer direct debits over the phone, ensuring all relevant legislation and procedures are followed
• Reviewing customer credit limits and approving orders that exceed agreed limits, in line with company guidelines
• Prioritising and multitasking effectively to help achieve departmental targets
• Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in response to changing priorities
• Building positive working relationships across the business and taking a proactive approach to supporting colleagues and other functions
• Undertaking any other tasks associated with the efficient operation of the Credit Control function

You will be expected to adhere to all Company and Group policies and procedures, including those relating to data protection, financial controls and customer confidentiality.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES REQUIRED

Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally
• A flexible approach to work, with the ability to adapt to unexpected demands
• Demonstrated patience and empathy when dealing with customer queries
• Confident IT user, with a working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook
• Strong problem-solving skills and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Desirable:

• Previous administrative experience within a fast-paced environment
• Experience working in a finance, accounts or credit control setting

BENEFITS

As part of The Billington Group we offer a wide range of employee benefits including:

• An attractive salary package.
• Annual salary reviews in September each year.
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave.
• Opportunity to work for a well-established family-owned business with ambitions for growth and innovation.
• Your Health: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which offers counselling and health and wellbeing advice.
• Sick pay: Generous company sick pay entitlement.
• Health Cash Plan: A health cash plan allowing colleagues to claim back money spent on everyday health care such as optical, dental, physiotherapy and much more.
• Your Lifestyle: Colleagues are eligible for a generous staff discount on selected products at our Country Stores.
• Cycle to work scheme: A salary sacrifice scheme saving you tax on the purchase of a new bicycle and associated equipment.
• Flexible life assurance and critical illness cover: Choose to increase the level of life assurance cover already provided to you by the company or add critical illness cover, all at preferential rates.
• My Savings Hub: Access to an exclusive member's discount website with over 3,500 brands where you can save money and earn cashback on spends from grocery shopping to holidays.
• Salary finance benefits: Savings schemes, preferential rate loans and wage advances all through payroll as well as tools for financial education.
• Your Future: Enrolment into the Company pension scheme after 3 months of employment.
• Training Development: Role specific training and ongoing training and development opportunities identified through our annual appraisal scheme.