Accounts Receivable Manager (5010593) at The Beverage Company

Job Purpose

• The Accounts Receivable Manager is responsible for leading the accounts receivable function within a fast-paced growing FMCG environment, ensuring accurate billing, timely collections, and optimal cash flow. Operating in a high-volume, customer-centric setting, this role requires strong leadership, process discipline, and relationship management to reduce risk, minimize bad debt, and ensure financial integrity across a broad customer base—including wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and key accounts. The Accounts Receivable Manager will report into the Head of Shared Services.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

Accounts Receivable Operations

• Oversee the full accounts receivable cycle, including invoicing, collections, credit control, cash application, and customer account reconciliations.
• Ensure the accurate and timely billing of large volumes of transactions, considering delivery schedules and promotional discounts common in the beverage industry.
• Manage collection processes aligned to customer payment terms (e.g. 7-day, 14-day, 30-day cycles) to ensure healthy DSO and reduce aged debt.
• Collaborate with the sales and distribution teams to resolve pricing, delivery, and rebate disputes that impact payment.
• Maintain accurate AR sub-ledgers, reconcile customer accounts, and ensure proper application of cash and credit notes.
• Manage deductions, claims, and short payments—ensuring proper documentation and resolution.

Credit Risk and Customer Relationship Management

• Evaluate and approve credit applications for new customers in line with internal credit policy and risk appetite.
• Review and adjust customer credit limits based on trading history, payment performance, and business risk exposure.
• Monitor key FMCG customers (e.g. national retailers, route-to-market distributors, and independent stores) for payment behavior and escalate risks early.
• Maintain strong relationships with key customers’ finance and procurement teams to support cash collection and issue resolutions.
• Ensure accurate application of the National Credit Act

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, train, and support a team of Credit managers, AR clerks and credit controllers in delivering best-in-class receivables performance.
• Set performance targets and KPI’s related to DSO, collections, and query turnaround time.
• Foster a high-performance, results-driven culture with a focus on collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular team reviews and support ongoing skills development.
• Assist the business in streamlining the claims process.
• Generate and analyze AR aging reports, customer account status, bad debt provisions, and DSO trends.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly AR reports for senior finance and sales leadership.
• Support the month-end close by ensuring all receivables, provisions, and adjustments are accurately recorded.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, tax regulations (e.g. VAT), and external audit requirements.
• Assist in developing cash flow forecasts based on receivables outlook and planned collections.
• Assisting with any ad-hoc requirements.

Reporting, Analysis, and Compliance
Qualifications and Experience

• 3 Year Diploma in Credit Management or Bachelors Degree in Accounting (B.Com 3 years)
• 3–5 years in an Accounts Receivable or Credit Management role within FMCG or beverage industry – Essential
• Experience managing high-volume customer accounts, route-to-market complexity, and short payment cycles
• Experience in managing large sized teams.
• Strong background in credit risk analysis, cash application, and dispute resolution
• Credit Management 1 – 3 is mandatory.
• Advanced SAP experience is recommended (SAP R3 to S4)