Accounts Payable Team Leader

Purpose of the Role

The Accounts Payable Team Leader is responsible for leading the Accounts Payable team in delivering a prompt, accurate and well‑controlled invoice and expenses processing service. The role ensures supplier invoices, payment runs, query resolution and month‑end activities are completed accurately and on time, while maintaining strong compliance with Purchase to Pay policies, financial controls and audit requirements.

• Lead, support and develop the Accounts Payable team, ensuring workloads, priorities and deadlines are managed effectively.
• Coordinate invoice processing activities to ensure supplier invoices are posted accurately and in line with accounting timetables and payment deadlines.
• Oversee resolution of invoice queries, match exceptions and approval delays, working with business stakeholders to avoid late payments.
• Review supplier statement reconciliations and ensure open items are followed up and resolved promptly.
• Prepare and publish regular Accounts Payable performance metrics, including invoice throughput, backlog, payment status and exceptions.
• Ensure invoices are processed correctly for VAT and in accordance with internal financial controls and Purchase to Pay policies.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal teams, suppliers, auditors and wider Finance colleagues on Accounts Payable matters.
• Support and review payment runs, including BACS, foreign and manual payments, ensuring appropriate checks and approvals are completed.
• Monitor debit balances, prepayments, held items and aged goods received not invoiced balances, escalating risks where required.
• Support month‑end activities, including Accounts Payable close, reconciliations and reporting to the general ledger.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and increase efficiency across Accounts Payable operations.
• Provide guidance and training to business users on purchase order, invoice approval and core finance system processes.

• Strong experience in Accounts Payable, purchase invoice processing or a similar finance operations role.
• Sound understanding of purchase ledger processes, supplier payments, VAT treatment and financial control requirements.
• Experience of supervising, coaching or coordinating the work of a team.
• Ability to manage high volumes of transactions accurately and within deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence dealing with suppliers, business managers and Finance colleagues.
• Good analytical skills, with the ability to review reconciliations, metrics and exceptions and drive timely resolution.
• Confident user of Microsoft Excel and finance systems.
• Proactive, organised and adaptable, with the ability to respond to changing priorities.
• Desirable: experience using JD Edwards, Concur or other integrated finance and expenses systems.
• Desirable: knowledge of Purchase to Pay policy, supplier finance processes, self‑billing or expenses administration.

For your health
, we offer private medical insurance, critical illness cover and an optional healthcare cash plan and dental insurance.

Our lifestyle benefits options include 28 days’ annual holiday, your employee pension, share incentive plan, family care, season ticket loans, free mortgage advice, payroll giving and more!

You can access lots of gifts & discounts
, including an allowance each year to spend on our brands in our staff shop and employee discounts from a range of high street retailers.

We have regular events in our very own office bar, employee‑run networks, a culture of flexibility and trust and a variety of tools and resources to help you focus on your wellbeing and mental fitness.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish.

Similarly, if you would like to discuss opportunities for flexible working or e‑accommodations or support to complete our application process, please let us know.