Job Title: Credit Controller EMEA
Business Unit: European Division
Reports To: Head of Shared Service
Direct Reports: N/A
Location: 11 Oak Spinney Park, Ratby Lane, Leicester, LE3 3AW
The Company:
Phenna Group was founded in 2018 on the principles of building genuine connections and relationships with businesses in the testing, inspection, certification and compliance sector across a range of industries and markets. Whilst we are a business of scale, with turnover of c.£0.5bn, core to our ideology is to be free of the inefficiencies and bureaucracy typically seen in large corporates, creating a dynamic and innovative group that delivers services to a global, diversified client base.
Purpose of Role:
Reporting to the Senior Credit Controller, the Credit Controller is responsible for the collection of overdue debts in a timely and professional manner, improving working capital efficiency and minimising credit risk through the effective monitoring and assessment of customer accounts and their creditworthiness.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Monitor Customer Accounts: Systematically track customer accounts across Spanish (S.A./S.L.) and Italian (S.r.l./S.p.A.) entities, promptly flagging overdue balances and managing ledger terms aligned with local commercial practices.
- Customer Communication: Contact customers in Spain and Italy via phone, email, and formal local channels (Burofax in Spain; certified email PEC or Raccomandata A/R in Italy) to chase payments and maintain key relationships.
- Negotiate Payment Plans: Agree on structured payment plans (planes de pago / piani di rientro) with Southern European clients to recover outstanding debt while preserving ongoing commercial partnerships.
- Credit Assessments: Evaluate new customer credit applications across Spain and Italy, assessing creditworthiness via local business registries and intelligence tools (Informa D&B, Cerved, or Camera di Commercio filings).
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Partner with Sales, Invoicing, and Operations to swiftly resolve billing disputes and handle invoice rejections within mandatory national e-invoicing platforms (FACe / Veri*Factu in Spain, SDI in Italy).
- Cash Allocation & Payment Instruments: Accurately allocate incoming electronic payments, credit notes, and region-specific payment instruments (SEPA Direct Debits, Pagarés in Spain, and Ri.Ba. in Italy) to maintain real-time account balances.
- Month-End Support: Assist the General Ledger team with month-end closing, performing account reconciliations for Spanish and Italian entities in accordance with local group reporting timelines.
- Audit Support: Prepare account documentation and transaction trails for annual external audits, ensuring compliance with local tax authority requirements (AEAT in Spain, Agenzia delle Entrate in Italy).
- Reporting & Analysis: Generate regular aging, cash collection, and debt risk reports, highlighting high-risk accounts or market trends in Southern Europe for senior management.
- Compliance & Policies: Adhere to internal credit control guidelines, EU data privacy laws (GDPR), and regional commercial regulations including the EU Late Payment Directive.
Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English, alongside full professional proficiency in either Spanish or Italian, is required.
- Previous experience in credit control or a similar finance-related role is essential.
- Strong understanding of credit management processes and techniques.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships.
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and reporting.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Experience with financial software is a plus.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
