The incumbent will be responsible for managing, planning and optimising the Credit granting and loans processing division.

Working with the management team within these disciplines, the position also contributes to the development and implementation of organisational strategies, policies and practices. This position will report to the COO.

The incumbent’s primary responsibilities include guiding the Loan Processors too daily, weekly and monthly production goals, while ensuring the level of expected service, quality and integrity of the loans are maintained.
The incumbent will be responsible for having one–on-one mentoring sessions with the team members.
The incumbent will serve as a communication liaison to ensure that changes are effectively communicated to the team members and as an escalation path for client satisfaction and/or scope clarification or changes. Candidates must possess a strong sense of urgency with an ability to work in a team environment, maintaining excellent organizational, communication, and PC skills.
The incumbent will be accountable for the entire credit granting process, including the consistent application of credit policy, periodic credit reviews of existing customers, and the assessment of the creditworthiness of potential customers, with the goal of optimizing the mix of company sales and bad debt losses.

Responsibilities:
• Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of the organisations mission,
• Support better management reporting, information flow and management of business processes,
• Manage and increase the effectiveness and efficiency through coordination and communication between support and sales functions,
• Oversee systems and controls relevant to the success of the department,
• Supervise and coach reporting staff on a daily basis,
• Prepare reports for the Exco and Board meetings,
• Report to Manco weekly on process, progress and potential constraints within the department,
• Manage team consisting of 10-15 processors,
• Monitor and send daily production reports with quality/production tips, current production challenges, plans to maintain Service Level Agreements, etc.
• Motivate and lead team to success using recognition, team building activities and positive reinforcement,
• Pipeline Management to ensure SLA metrics are met each day,
• One-on-One mentoring, for team members who are not meeting the production and/or quality expectations, and in understanding underwriting decisions and conditions,
• Assist in resolving processing issues or customer escalations as they arise,
• Manage risk and quality through in-line QC and assuring that audit results are within established targets,
• Manage daily productivity of the team to achieve targets and ensure that delivery is optimised,
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity that values each individual for their unique contribution and create an environment that allows each employee to reach their potential,
• Create an environment to support the sales team as well as govern, measure and implement the credit granting policies,
• Ensure best practice methods is implemented and maintained,
• KPA measurement for reports and measurement of and adherence to performance management criteria,
• Ensure that the credit function is fulfilled within the budget that have been set,
• Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services through improvements to processes in the department as well as coordination and communication between functions,
• Contribute to short and long-term organisational planning and strategy as a member of the management team,
• Serve as primary liaison to credit committee in implementing and measurement of credit granting policies within the portfolio,
• Manage, train, up-skill, motivate, retain, discipline and recruit staff,
• Manage relationships with the sales team and collections department,
• Effective client, agent and merchant liaison,
• Maintain the Company’s Credit Policy with suggestions to be presented to Credit Committee,
• Meet set deliverables against sales target and against quality of book,
• Ensure that reviews and requests are dealt with scientifically and timeously,
• Analyse the performance of existing client’s loans and products,
• Devise risk management and fraud prevention strategies in conjunction with the executive,
• Personally, investigate the customer credit applications when required,
• Keep abreast of best practices and trends in the credit industry,
• Effectively manage expenses internally and externally.

Qualifications, Experience and Personal Competencies

• Matric. Applicable tertiary education will be a distinct advantage,
• Any additional credit qualification would be an advantage,
• Strong background and work experience in Operational Management within Microfinance, and more specifically a credit granting department,
• Experience in successfully running an efficient and effective credit processing team would be an advantage,
• Ability to cope with and work accurately under extreme pressure, and comfortable in a fast pace, diverse office environment,
• Experienced in using and understanding loan origination and loan management systems,
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of reporting from loan origination systems to determine, manage and monitor application statuses,
• Understand the industry and landscape inclusive of the regulatory environment like the Magistrate Act and National Credit Act and supporting regulation, (NCA, FSB, etc.)
• Thorough understanding best practices around formulating credit policies,
• Good understanding of credit bureaux and the nature of bureau data,
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including linguistic and drafting skills,
• Multiple language proficiency will be an advantage,
• Commitment to high professional and ethical standards,
• Excellent computer skills incl. Excel (advanced), Word and Outlook,
• Budget management proficiency,
• Demonstrate leadership and vision in managing staff groups, with the ability to delegate responsibilities effectively,
• Ability to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organisation, considering different points of view,
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage conflict, motivate and self-motivate,
• Must have recruitment and training experience,
• Excellent analytical and planning skills, with the ability to methodically and meticulously drive a process,
• Ability to get the job done, with proven decision making ability, and not afraid to get his/her hands dirty,
• Sound time management, and willing work overtime when required,
• Additional personality traits required: Committed, loyal, trustworthy, determined, disciplined, thorough, goal orientated, pro-active, responsible and dedicated.