Head of Credit Risk & Brand Representation in Harlow

A global leading skincare and make-up company, Clarins Group is the embodiment of a committed family history, with a fierce passion for innovation and spirit of independence. Its raison d’être is "making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet". Operating in more than 150 countries, we are now the number one skincare company in Europe and are accelerating our development on all other continents, particularly in Asia and the Americas. Because our 8,000 talents are unique, we are committed to promoting diversity in all its forms.

The role:

• Responsible for developing, administering and enforcing company credit and collections policies and procedures, evaluating credit risk, developing strategies, goals & procedures to maximize cash flow & reduce exposure to write offs and bad debts.
• Risk assessment responsibilities with regards to security issues and theft of products.
• Work with Brand representation and protection of rights in relation to Grey Market and unauthorised distribution issues.

What you’ll do:

• Lead, develop and motivate the Credit Control team, fostering a high-performance culture through coaching, succession planning and continuous improvement.
• Be accountable for the effective management of accounts receivable and collections across a sales ledger exceeding £120m.
• Own the Company's credit policy and credit risk framework.
• Approve customer credit limits and payment terms within delegated authority.
• Monitor customer financial risk, credit insurance and bad debt exposure, escalating material risks where appropriate.
• Prepare and present regular reporting on collections, DSO, aged debt, bad debt and key performance indicators.
• Maintain a strong understanding of accounting principles, ensuring accurate balance sheet reconciliations, month-end reporting and robust financial controls across the Order-to-Cash process.
• Own the governance and operation of customer payment processing and card payment systems, ensuring compliance with relevant security standards and supporting ongoing process improvements.
• Lead system enhancements, process improvements and finance transformation initiatives impacting the function.
• Build strong relationships with Sales, Customer Services, Supply Chain and Finance to balance commercial growth with effective credit risk management.
• Develop effective relationships with key customers to support prompt payment and successful dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with Company policies, legal and regulatory requirements, and maintain effective controls across the function.
• Support brand protection initiatives by overseeing controls relating to grey market activity, product theft and other commercial risks, working closely with internal and external stakeholders where required.

You have:

• 10+ years' experience in Credit Control, Accounts Receivable or Order-to-Cash, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing a large and complex sales ledger (£100m+) within a retail, FMCG, wholesale or consumer goods environment (essential).
• Strong understanding of credit risk management, debit notes, working capital, financial controls and accounting principles, including balance sheet reconciliations and month-end processes.
• Experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Workday or Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective relationships across Finance, Sales, Customer Services and Supply Chain.
• Demonstrable experience leading process improvements, finance transformation initiatives and developing high-performing teams.
• Professionally qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CICM) or qualified by significant relevant experience.

We have:

• 70+ years of expertise in beauty and spa, with the Clarins and myBlend brands.
• Unique products and innovative services.
• A commitment to Social & Environmental Responsibility embedded in our raison d’être.
• A caring and inclusive corporate culture.
• Development and training opportunities.
• Attractive compensation and benefits.
• We Care Day – Volunteering.
• A flexible work environment, with up to 2 days of remote working per week.

About Clarins Group: A global leading skincare and make-up company, Clarins group is the embodiment of a committed family history, with a fierce passion for innovation and spirit of independence. Our purpose "making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet," is a core commitment outlined in our by-laws. Operating in more than 150 countries thanks to our 8,000 employees worldwide, we are now the number one skincare company in Europe and are accelerating our development on all other continents, particularly in Asia and the Americas. In line with our dual CSR mission of ‘Caring for people, caring for the planet’ we take pride in offering a rewarding yet challenging work environment where everyone can thrive. This culture allowed us to achieve the certification of Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024, Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024 for Women. We believe in making life more beautiful for our employees and our customers. Inclusion and diversity are firmly grounded in our core values. We strive to achieve inclusiveness, and we foster an equal-opportunity culture where everyone can reach their full potential and do their best work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are a member of the ILO (International Labor Organization) and the Employers Network for Equity and Inclusion (ENEI).