Accounts Payable Manager

Our Role

The Accounts Payable Manager plays a critical leadership role within Finance Operations, owning the end-to-end Accounts Payable function to ensure accurate, timely, and well-controlled processing of supplier payments and employee expenses. Managing a team of four, this role is responsible for driving operational excellence across both stock and non-stock accounts payable activities, maintaining strong internal controls, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

As AP systems super‑user, the Accounts Payable Manager also supports ongoing automation and system enhancements (including D365 and Mail Manager), ensuring processes remain efficient, scalable, and aligned to business needs.

Reporting into the Senior Manager, Finance Operations, this position works cross‑functionally with Buying, Merchandising, Logistics, Distribution Centre and Finance teams to ensure strong financial governance, accurate reporting (including GRNI and control accounts), and seamless end‑to‑end operations.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4 (2 Accounts Payable Assistants and 2 Accounts Payable Specialists), fostering a high‑performance and accountable culture.
• Hire, train, and supervise team members, supporting ongoing development and succession planning.
• Set clear objectives and monitor individual and team performance through weekly and monthly KPIs.
• Proactively manage team workload and capacity planning, particularly during peak trading periods, to ensure uninterrupted service levels.
• Communicate AP performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to senior leadership, ensuring transparency and informed decision making.

• Oversee end‑to‑end invoice processing and approval workflows, ensuring invoices are accurately coded, authorised, and processed in line with internal controls.
• Oversee stock invoice processing workflows, ensuring alignment between purchase orders, goods received, and invoicing.
• Manage the weekly supplier payment process, ensuring payments are accurate, timely, and in accordance with agreed payment terms.
• Maintain and enforce supplier payment terms in line with commercial agreements.
• Oversee employee expense processing, including corporate credit card transactions, ensuring compliance with company expense policy.
• Manage shared AP inboxes, ensuring all incoming invoices and supplier communications are actioned promptly.

• Manage the supplier onboarding process, including verification of banking details.
• Oversee and maintain accurate supplier master data within the finance system, ensuring data integrity.
• Ensure regular supplier statement reconciliations are completed, with timely resolution of discrepancies and queries.
• Lead the resolution of complex or escalated supplier disputes, minimising operational disruption while maintaining strong relationships.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve service levels and communication.

• Own and actively manage the GRNI account, including daily review and investigation of aged items in collaboration with Buying, Merchandising, Logistics and DC teams.
• Manage the monthly Accounts Payable close process, including preparation of suppliers control account and GRNI balance sheet reconciliations.
• Perform aged creditor reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of outstanding liabilities.
• Provide weekly forecast of suppliers’ payments to support the preparation of the Daily Cashflow.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation and responding to AP‑related queries.

• Ensure strong internal controls across the AP function, maintaining compliance with company policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Review and update, as required, AP policies, procedures, and controls to support business growth and scalability.
• Drive continuous process improvement and automation initiatives, including ongoing D365 and Mail Manager enhancements.
• Act as AP system super‑user, supporting configuration, workflow…