Credit Controller and Accounts Receivable Specialist in Gloucester

Entity Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defence. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible.

Location: Gloucester
Working Pattern: Hybrid

Your Role

The Credit Controller and Accounts Receivable Specialist will have a dual purpose, focusing on two elements: Credit Control and Accounts Receivable.

Credit Control:

The main responsibility is to help manage customer credit accounts, minimise bad debt exposure, ensure timely collection of outstanding invoices, and maintain healthy cash flow. This involves assessing credit risk, managing customer relationships, and implementing effective debt collection strategies while maintaining positive customer relationships.

Accounts Receivable:

This element involves maintaining accurate customer accounts, processing invoices, recording and allocation of customer payments, reconciling customer balances, and supporting the efficient collection of outstanding debts.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively manage and reduce aged debt across a portfolio of customer accounts.
• Chase outstanding invoices via telephone, email and written correspondence to ensure timely payment.
• Take ownership of debt collection activities, escalating issues where necessary to achieve resolution.
• Build strong relationships with customers to improve payment performance and resolve queries efficiently.
• Investigate and resolve disputed invoices, payment delays and account discrepancies.
• Negotiate payment plans and support debt recovery activities in line with company procedures.
• Monitor customer creditworthiness and support the assessment of credit risk.
• Perform credit checks and assist with setting and reviewing customer credit limits.
• Accurately forecast monthly cash collections and identify potential risks to cash flow.
• Produce and analyse aged debt reports, collection performance reports and key credit metrics.
• Maintain accurate customer account records and master data within the ERP system.
• Process and allocate customer payments, ensuring all cash receipts are accurately matched and reconciled.
• Investigate and resolve unallocated cash and account reconciliation issues.
• Support month-end Accounts Receivable activities and reporting requirements.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and business units to improve collections and resolve customer issues.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls and audit requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve credit control processes and drive operational efficiencies.

Our Commitment to You

We understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone. We encourage candidates to apply even if they don't meet 100% of the criteria.

Why Safran?

• A global presence: Part of a worldwide aerospace, defence & space group with 100,000+ colleagues across 300 sites in 30 countries.
• Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate differences and believe they make us stronger.
• Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world safer.
• Mobility & training opportunities: Personalised career plans, development pathways and mobility options.
• A culture of excellence: Collaboration, integrity and continuous improvement are at the heart of what we do.

Candidate skills & requirementsTechnical Skills

• Strong understanding of accounts receivable, credit control and debt collection processes and practices.
• Knowledge of credit risk assessment.
• Financial analysis and reconciliation skills.
• Proficiency in accounting and ERP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.

Behavioural Competencies

• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Resilience and persistence.
• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Sense of responsibility.

Qualifications and Experience:Essential

• Previous experience in credit control, collections, or accounts receivable.
• Strong understanding of credit management principles.
• Experience managing customer accounts and debt recovery activities.

Desirable

• AAT qualification or equivalent.
• Membership or study towards qualifications from organisations such as the CICM.
• Language – French (would be advantageous).
• Experience in a business-to-business (B2B) credit control environment.
• Experience with ERP Systems, SAP preferably.

Job location: Europe, UK, England, West Midlands, City: Gloucester