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Role Overview

The Credit Expert – LATAM & Canada is a key regional expert responsible for supporting the execution, control, and continuous improvement of Credit Management activities across multiple countries.

Reporting to the Regional Credit Manager, this role plays a critical part in credit risk assessment, operational execution, and compliance, ensuring alignment with Smith+Nephew’s global control framework while supporting business growth and cash flow performance.

This position combines hands-on operational responsibilities with analytical expertise, acting as a trusted partner to Finance, Commercial, GBS, and Customer Service teams across the region.

What will you be doing?

Credit Risk Analysis & Decision Support

• Perform detailed credit assessments for new and existing customers, including financial statement analysis, financial ratios, credit reports, and risk evaluation.

• Recommend credit limits, risk classifications, and payment terms aligned with business strategy and risk appetite.

• Support periodic portfolio reviews, proactively identifying emerging risks and exposure trends.

• Monitor customer creditworthiness and overall credit risk across LATAM and Canada

Credit Operations & Execution

• Execute credit limit setup, reviews, and adjustments in compliance with the Delegation of Authority Matrix (DAM).

• Perform order release activities within assigned authority, ensuring balance between risk control and business continuity.

• Implement and maintain payment term changes in ERP systems in line with approved authority levels.

• Monitor credit limit utilization and headroom, taking proactive actions to prevent blocked orders.

Cash Flow & Collections Support

• Support regional initiatives to reduce DSO, manage overdue balances, and improve cash flow performance.

• Analyze Accounts Receivable (AR) aging and highlight key risks and action areas.

• Assist in resolving complex disputes and escalations, ensuring timely closure and root cause identification.

• Provide input into bad debt provisioning and write-off processes.

Governance, Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with SOX, MAPs, and internal Credit Management policies and controls.

• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Ensure all activities (credit approvals, order releases, payment term updates) are fully compliant with DAM.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date credit data and third-party reporting tools.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with Regional Credit Manager, Finance Business Partners, Commercial teams, Customer Service, and GBS.

• Act as a key contact for operational credit topics and escalations within the region.

• Support alignment between commercial objectives and credit risk management.

• Contribute insights and analysis to support decision-making at regional level.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and support process improvements, standardization, and automation initiatives.

• Assist in preparation of credit performance reporting (DSO, overdue, exposure).

• Contribute to documentation, training, and knowledge sharing within the team.

What will you need to be successful?

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related fields.

Experience

• +5 years of experience in Credit management / Order-to-Cash.

• Proven hands-on experience in:

  • Credit risk analysis and financial statement interpretation.

  • Credit limit management and order release processes.

  • ERP-based payment term management .

• Experience in multinational, multi-country environments (preferred).

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Collections, Order-to-Cash processes and Credit Management practices.

• Experience with SAP or AX ERP systems (preferred).

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (data analysis and reporting).

• Familiarity with credit risk tools and external credit agencies.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• High level of attention to detail and control awareness.

• Ability to balance risk management with commercial needs.

• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Proactive, adaptable, and continuous improvement mindset.

Languages

• Intermediate English skills

• Portuguese (desirable).

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