Accounts Payable Manager

Job Title: Accounts Payable Manager

Reporting To: Financial Director

Direct Reports: 2 Accounts Assistants

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the Accounts Payable function, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time whilst maintaining strong financial controls, effective cash management, and excellent supplier relationships. The role is responsible for managing the end-to-end purchase ledger process, payment operations, supplier reconciliations, banking activities, VAT compliance, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

The Accounts Payable Manager will play a key role in supporting working capital management, safeguarding company cash resources, and ensuring the Purchase Ledger function operates efficiently and effectively across all group companies.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Management

· Lead the end-to-end Purchase Ledger function across all group companies.

· Ensure supplier invoices are approved, coded and processed accurately and within agreed timescales.

· Manage supplier statement reconciliations and resolution of outstanding items.

· Monitor aged creditors and ensure liabilities are accurately recorded.

· Oversee supplier account maintenance and onboarding processes.

· Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and financial controls are maintained throughout the AP process.

· Review and approve high-value, complex or unusual supplier transactions.

Payment Management

· Manage all supplier payment runs, including UK, overseas and urgent payments.

· Ensure payments are processed in accordance with company authorisation policies.

· Oversee HSBC banking activities and payment controls.

· Monitor cash outflows and support weekly cashflow forecasting activities.

· Manage unallocated supplier cash and investigate exceptions.

· Support treasury activities to optimise working capital and cash management.

Supplier Relationship Management

· Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.

· Resolve supplier disputes and payment queries promptly.

· Monitor supplier credit limits and proactively manage potential supply risks.

· Support negotiation of improved payment terms where appropriate.

· Act as the primary escalation point for supplier issues.

Lease Car Fleet

· Manage group car fleet – ordering new, arranging collections and available for any issues.

· Monitor any fines, MOTs, tax, fuel cards, and securing lease quotes.

· Insurance Policy - adding and removing temp vehicles.

Financial Control & Compliance

· Ensure VAT returns are prepared accurately and submitted on time.

· Maintain compliance with company financial policies and procedures.

· Support internal and external audit requirements.

· Ensure all bank postings, reconciliations and ledger balances are accurate.

· Identify and mitigate risks relating to payments, fraud, and control weaknesses.

Team Leadership

· Lead, coach, and develop the Purchase Ledger team.

· Set objectives and performance standards.

· Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.

· Develop succession planning and cross-training across the AP team.

Process Improvement

· Drive automation and efficiency within Accounts Payable processes.

· Reduce manual processing and improve workflow controls.

· Standardise operating procedures and maintain process documentation.

· Identify opportunities to improve supplier onboarding, invoice processing, and payment management.

Business Partnering

· Work closely with Procurement, Operations, Sales, and Finance teams.

· Support commercial decision-making relating to supplier expenditure and contract commitments.

· Assist with overhead cost reduction initiatives.

· Provide reporting and analysis on supplier spend and payment performance.

· Support the wider finance team's working capital objectives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operational

· 98%+ supplier invoices processed within agreed SLA.

· Supplier statement reconciliations completed by Day 10 each month.

· Payment runs completed accurately and on schedule.

· Reduction in overdue supplier accounts.

· Supplier query resolution within agreed service levels.

Financial

· Zero material payment errors.

· Zero late VAT submissions.

· Reduction in unallocated supplier cash.

· Improved creditor ageing profile.

Leadership

· Team productivity and development objectives achieved.

· Cross-training and succession plans maintained.

· Positive internal stakeholder feedback.

Skills & Experience

Essential

· 3+ years Accounts Payable / Purchase Ledger experience.

· Previous team management experience.

· Strong understanding of payment controls and supplier management.

· Experience managing multi-company ledgers.

· Strong reconciliation and problem-solving skills.

· Experience of ERP systems and electronic invoice workflows.

· Excellent attention to detail.

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person