Group Finance - Credit Controller

Credit Controller
Reports to: Credit Control Manager
Location: Chiswick (Voysey House) — office-based initially, with hybrid working considered once training is complete
Department: Finance
Role Overview:
As Credit Controller, you’ll own a portfolio of UK and export customer accounts, including many of the Company’s prime accounts — from cash allocation and complex self-billing reconciliations through to collections, credit limits and query resolution, working alongside a team of fellow Credit Controllers who together service more than 6,000 customers across our brands.
This role sits at the heart of how we serve our customers, processing large volumes of transactions across the stock lines of all our brands. Around 25% of our sales are to export markets, managed by agents in each country, so you’ll handle currency as well as sterling accounts — and our prime accounts call for genuinely advanced Excel skills to keep reconciliations accurate and the ledger clean.
About Us:
Sanderson Design Group PLC is a luxury interior design house with more than 165 years of heritage, home to some of the most celebrated names in British design: Sanderson, Morris & Co., Zoffany, Harlequin, Clarke & Clarke and Scion. The Group also designs, manufactures and distributes Designers Guild products under an exclusive global licence. Our fabrics, wallpapers and paints are loved around the world, with North America representing our fastest-growing market. We proudly manufacture in our own UK facilities, Anstey in Loughborough and Standfast & Barracks in Lancaster, where traditional craftsmanship is combined with some of the most advanced digital printing technology in the industry.
Our purpose is to “bring the beautiful into people’s homes and lives”. We are custodians of one of the world’s largest fabric and wallpaper archives, comprising more than 75,000 documents dating back to the 16th century, which continue to inspire our designers today. Through a thriving international licensing programme, our designs extend far beyond interiors into categories including bedding, rugs and tableware. With around 500 colleagues across the Group, we are a destination for creative talent and ambitious people who want to shape the future of design-led brands.
Responsibilities:
Self-Billing Reconciliations & Prime Accounts

Manage complex, high-volume self-billing reconciliations for prime accounts through Excel analysis, using pivot and lookup tables, and devise and develop the processes as needed.
Manage and record accurate stock levels through the self-billing process.

Cash Allocation & Ledger Management

Accurately record and enter currency and sterling cash received by cheque or direct bank transfer.
Maintain a clean ledger, taking a proactive approach to dealing with any issues that affect it.
Raise journals and credit notes where necessary.

Collections & Credit Risk

Actively chase payment on all overdue items by email, telephone and letter, escalating to legal action where needed.
Distribute statements and dunning letters on time and in line with the Company credit policy.
Review held-order reports and release orders only on receipt of payment or justifiable credit analysis, calling every customer with a held order so they know about the delay and have the chance to resolve it.
Review and recommend credit limits, both at application stage and on an ongoing basis.

Customer Queries & Account Records

Resolve customer queries by recording disputed items in Mertex and following up with the relevant departments to make sure they are resolved efficiently.
Keep clear notes in Mertex of all customer communication, so anyone looking at an account can understand why and when a customer is overdue.

Working with the Wider Team

Work independently, with regular support and touchpoints across Credit Control, Customer Services and Finance.
Cover all areas of the Credit Control department as and when required.

Skills & Experience:
Experience & Know-How

Previous experience of self-billing reconciliations.
Advanced Excel, including pivot and lookup tables (essential).
Strong IT skills, with experience of the systems and packages used in credit control.
Understanding and experience of foreign currency invoicing and payments.
Understanding of basic accounting principles.
Desirable: Spanish, French, Italian or German language skills.

How You Work

Highly numerate, with excellent reconciliation skills and close attention to detail.
A good telephone manner — clear, confident and professional when chasing payment and resolving queries.
Proactive and well organised, comfortable managing a high volume of transactions and accounts.
Able to work independently, while knowing when to involve colleagues across Credit Control, Customer Services and Finance.

Qualifications:

No formal qualifications required — relevant credit control experience matters most. A CICM qualification, or working towards one, would be an advantage.

Values & Behaviours:

Intrepid:

Provide clarity, encouragement and meaningful feedback to help us move forward with purpose and positivity.

Imaginative:

Lead with curiosity, coach and encourage teams to be resourceful and think beyond the obvious to drive meaningful, creative outcomes.

Respectful:

Proactively consider and take responsibility for how decisions and leadership approach impact the team, the wider Group dynamics and performance.