Credits & Collections Manager

Function:   

The Credit & Collections Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Credit & Collections function across PNG Business Units. The role ensures effective credit risk management, compliance with Puma Energy Credit Policy, optimization of cash flow, and strong governance of the credit portfolio while supporting commercial growth in a controlled risk environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the credit risk of PNG Business Units, with emphasis on monitoring and improving performance in the area of Credit & Collections. Provide weekly and monthly Flash reporting updates in the required formats to both local and international management. Also provide ad-hoc reporting as requested.
• Be a member of the Country Credit Committee, which has responsibility for monitoring credit portfolio performance and adherence to credit policy. Members of the Committee include the Country CEO, FM, Sales Manager, and Credit & Collections Manager, as applicable. Own the Puma Energy Credit Policy locally and ensure full compliance from all Business Units.
• Enhance and maintain systems for gathering, monitoring, and reporting credit data for distribution to management, Credit Committee members, and others as required. This includes monitoring local credit bureau databases and carrying out credit checks, cheque acceptance reviews, and KYC checks.
• Ensure security is obtained from customers where risk determines such a strategy, including Bank Guarantees, Deposits, or other financial instruments, to achieve coverage in line with PE Credit Policy.
• Provide leadership and management to a local team of Credit Officers and Team Leaders to achieve collection targets in line with credit terms and cash flow initiatives planned by the Business Units. Ensure that the day-to-day administration of all accounts is managed effectively and in accordance with credit terms.
• Coordinate with local legal and private collection agents, lawyers, and/or liquidators on recovery matters.
• Conduct credit visits to customers as required and engage with remote Credit teams where applicable. Keep up to date on business issues by maintaining close relationships with Sales Managers and ensuring regular dialogue occurs across the local Credit team and Sales Managers so they are fully aware of factors that may affect a customer’s ability to pay.

Requirements:

Experience: 

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree is Accounting or Business Management.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role, or 5 to 8 years of middle to senior management experience, preferably in risk management.
• Solid experience in portfolio analysis, credit & collections process design and implementation, and credit & collections solutions expertise.
• Experience working cross-functionally across countries and business units, with strong commercial acumen to position credit management within the overall commercial context.

Skills:   

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Fluent in English.
• Knowledge of developing KPIs to improve ongoing system and process performance.

Competencies:  

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to effectively interface with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to think strategically.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Make it easy to become a Puma customer and deliver the end-to-end assessment of a new account (KYC, Credit Limit, system set-up) within 2 weeks.
• Maintain a system to track application processing time for new customers and drive system improvements.
• Conduct annual credit limit reviews with appropriate financial and business analysis.
• Manage insurance additions, reviews, and monthly reporting.
• Ensure legal accounts are resolved promptly and recommend customers to be moved into PP based on market intelligence and evidence of poor financial standing.
• Drive NAV improvements by ensuring timely allocation of receipts, minimizing unnecessary approvals, and maintaining clean customer master data
• Act as backup for Credit Administrators who are on leave.
• Improve the standard of customer communication and strive to achieve 100% customer satisfaction.
• Report and communicate the value of credit terms to Business Managers and customers.
• Drive standardization among the customer base: reduce 30 EOM terms and align to 21 EOM or less where possible.
• Achieve an overall DSO of 15 days or less.
• Contribute to achieving an overall monthly overdue percentage of 0%.
• Achieve 5% overdue or less over 8 days overall.
• Always maintain punctual discipline: commence work at 8:00 AM, lunch break from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, and finish at 5:00 PM.