At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in credit control and cash allocation to maximise cash flow.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and flexible benefits including up to 27 days annual leave.
- Other info: Access to professional development and a culture that values teamwork and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial health while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in credit management and strong leadership skills are essential.
Location: Coventry Head Office (Middlemarch Business Park)
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours) Monday to Friday
Package: Basic salary up to £40,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days annual leave (plus additional annual leave purchasing scheme)
Sector: Packaging Distribution
Protecting what matters, together. We're dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.
With history stretching back over 75 years, we offer stability whilst always striving for continual growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven approach will challenge and reward you in equal measure, whilst creating genuine opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the opportunity to influence our success, making a real impact on the business and our customers.
We provide competitive pay, rewarding bonus schemes and a flexible benefits package designed to support both your career and your wellbeing. If you share our values of commitment, teamwork, adaptability and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
The Credit Manager Role
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Credit professional to lead our Credit Control & Cash Allocation function from our Coventry Head Office. Reporting to the Head of Credit Control, you'll take ownership of a well-established team, providing leadership, coaching and strategic direction whilst ensuring effective credit risk management across the business. Your focus will be on maximising cash flow, reducing aged debt, minimising financial risk and continuously improving departmental performance and customer outcomes.
Working closely with colleagues across Finance, Sales and Operational teams, you'll play a key role in protecting the financial health of one of the UK's leading packaging businesses.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and develop the Credit Control & Cash Allocation team, creating a high-performing, customer-focused culture.
- Drive the collection of overdue debt whilst maintaining strong, professional customer relationships.
- Develop, implement and continually improve credit control policies, procedures and best practice.
- Monitor and optimise cash flow through effective debt collection and timely cash allocation.
- Set and review customer credit limits, balancing commercial opportunity with effective risk management.
- Review alerts from credit reference agencies and take appropriate action to minimise financial exposure.
- Work closely with Sales, Customer Services and Finance teams to resolve account queries and support business growth.
- Produce and analyse management information, identifying trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements and company credit policies.
- Support strategic projects and process improvements that enhance efficiency across the wider finance function.
What You Will Bring
You'll already have significant Credit Management experience, ideally gained within a multi-site or national business, together with a proven ability to lead, coach and develop successful teams. You'll combine strong commercial judgement with excellent analytical skills and understand how effective credit management supports both customer relationships and wider business performance.
We're particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate:
- Previous experience leading a Credit Control function or sizeable Credit team.
- Strong knowledge of credit control processes, cash allocation and credit risk management.
- Experience developing policies, improving processes and delivering measurable performance improvements.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to analyse financial information and make sound commercial decisions.
- Confidence working with ERP systems together with strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- A proactive, organised and collaborative leadership style with a genuine passion for developing people.
- Professional qualifications such as CICM (or working towards) would be advantageous but are by no means essential.
What You Will Get
We provide a competitive basic salary together with a rewarding bonus scheme and an excellent flexible benefits package, including:
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays
- Additional Holiday Purchasing Scheme (run annually)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free parking at most of our sites
- Annual paid volunteering day
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Extensive learning, development and career progression opportunities
- Employee discount scheme
- Simplyhealth/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying roles
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Long service awards
- Charitable giving options
- Financial support with eye tests and DSE glasses
- EE Mobile discount scheme
- Candidate referral scheme (£750 reward for successful referrals)
Your Future With Us
At Macfarlane Group, we believe our people are our greatest strength. As a large, successful PLC, we're committed to developing talented individuals and promoting from within wherever possible. You'll have access to structured learning and development, leadership programmes and professional qualifications through recognised organisations including the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) and the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), giving you every opportunity to continue building your career with us.
How to Apply/Next Steps
We are working swiftly to find the best applicants and hope to hold local interviews ASAP. Please click 'apply' to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within a fortnight, please assume your application was unsuccessful.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
No recruitment agencies please.
Credit Manager employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Gottlieb Packaging Materials, part of Macfarlane Group plc, is an excellent employer located in Trafford Park, Manchester, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside competitive salaries and benefits, including 25 days of annual leave and a company pension scheme. Our collaborative culture encourages long-term career progression, making it an ideal place for individuals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the packaging distribution sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Credit Manager
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Macfarlane Packaging. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Credit Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Macfarlane Packaging.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Macfarlane Packaging's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Macfarlane Packaging.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Macfarlane Packaging will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Macfarlane Packaging employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
