Credit Control Manager in Erith

A key leadership role within APP Wholesale, the Credit Control Manager is responsible for driving strong cashflow performance, safeguarding the business from credit risk, and ensuring a high‑quality customer experience throughout the credit management cycle. The role oversees the day‑to‑day credit control function, including collections, customer ledger management, cashflow forecasting, credit approvals and query resolution. You will lead a high‑performing team, maintain strong internal and external relationships, and apply best‑practice credit processes that support the company’s growth plans.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Credit Control & Ledger Management
  • Maintain and build strong relationships with customers to ensure collection objectives are met.
  • Manage and coordinate the timely collection of outstanding debt, reducing aged balances and improving cashflow performance.
  • Oversee the full customer ledger, ensuring accuracy of postings, account reconciliations, and adherence to credit limits.
  • Ensure new customer accounts are opened in line with company policy, including appropriate documentation, checks and validations.
  • Monitor customer accounts daily, identifying credit risks, irregularities and early warning signs.
  • Prepare regular reports on cash turn, ledger health, over‑trading and account performance.
  • Review arrears reports and take appropriate action, escalating matters promptly to management.
  • Ensure all payments are processed in line with APP policy.
• Customer Queries and Approvals
  • Manage the full lifecycle of customer enquiries and invoice queries, ensuring timely resolution.
  • Liaise with internal departments (Sales, Branches, Customer Service, Finance) to resolve disputes and minimise delays in payment.
  • Ensure all credit decisions, overrides and account adjustments follow the APP approval matrix.
  • Provide clear communication to customers and internal stakeholders to support transparent and efficient query workflows.
• Cashflow Forecasting
  • Own and manage the cash receipts element of the company’s cashflow forecasting process.
  • Analyse patterns in customer payments, credit behaviour and debt ageing to strengthen forecast accuracy.
  • Maintain and continuously improve forecasting tools and files to highlight risks and opportunities.
  • Collaborate closely with Finance, Sales and Branch Managers to support delivery of agreed cash collection targets.
• Continuous Improvement & Systems
  • Review and enhance credit control processes to drive efficiency, reduce manual tasks and strengthen control.
  • Work with IT and Finance to improve system workflows, reporting, dashboards and data quality.
  • Champion digital tools and process automation to streamline credit operations.
• Risk Management & Credit Assessment
  • Lead the identification, monitoring and mitigation of credit risk across the customer base.
  • Produce accurate and insightful bad‑debt reports, recommending preventative actions where needed.
  • Use CreditSafe alerts, internal data, industry intelligence and customer relationships to assess and anticipate risk.
  • Act as primary contact for the credit insurer, ensuring limits are reviewed regularly and compliance is maintained.
  • Manage escalations to legal or external recovery partners for overdue, disputed or high‑risk cases.
• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, support and develop a high‑performing Credit Control team.
  • Conduct regular 1‑1s, appraisals, skills assessments and training sessions.
  • Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, customer focus and continuous improvement.
  • Set and monitor KPIs including collections performance, query turnaround times, ledger accuracy and productivity.
• Generic Responsibilities
  • Promote and uphold the highest standards of Health & Safety, including active participation in ‘Near Miss’ reporting.
  • Ensure strong security awareness at all times, protecting company assets and customer goods.
  • Present yourself consistently in a professional manner, following APP uniform standards.
  • Follow correct procedures for reporting sickness or absence.
  • Use appropriate PPE at all times in line with company policy.
  • Collaborate effectively with the wider APP team and support other areas of the business when needed.
  • Carry out any additional duties reasonably required to support the team and the company.