Credit Controller

We are looking for Credit Controller (m/w) to join a growing European Shared Services team based in Leicester.

We're looking for someone with credit control/collections experience who is fluent in English and either Spanish or Italian.

The role is customer-facing, focusing on building strong relationships, managing collections, resolving payment queries, and supporting cash flow across the European business. It's a fantastic opportunity to join a business that's investing heavily in its finance function and offers genuine career progression.

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.