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 requiredPrevious 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.