Accounts Payable Manager

Universal Store; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Exclusive staff discounts across our品牌

Free on-site parking

Learning & Development opportunities

Wellbeing initiatives

Parental leave

Regular team events

Job summary

Universal Store seeks an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead the AP function from our Eagle Farm Support Office. You will manage a small AP team, ensure timely supplier payments, and uphold strong internal controls across multiple banners.

You’ll drive process improvements, automation, and reporting while partnering with finance and Buying to optimise terms and cash flow. Hybrid work options available.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Accounts Payable in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Proven ability to coach and develop a team and manage performance.
• Strong knowledge of AP internal controls, delegation of authority and fraud prevention.
• Analytical and reconciliation skills with problem-solving ability.
• Track record of system/process improvements and documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a service-focused approach.
• Hands-on with a cloud ERP; NetSuite experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with international suppliers and multi-currency payments; retail/logistics background valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounts Payable function across all banners, operationally and as a people leader.
• Coach and develop the AP team, set expectations and manage workload.
• Ensure timely payment of supplier accounts, including international stock suppliers.
• Approve daily/weekly/monthly payment batches in line with delegation of authority.
• Oversee vendor invoice processing and reconciliations; maintain ledgers and coding.
• Monitor supplier balances and terms; partner with Buying on terms and discrepancies.
• Provide cash flow insights to CFO and Financial Controller for forecasting.
• Deliver month-end close deliverables and reporting (aged creditors, spend analysis).
• Maintain internal controls over procure-to-pay and prevent payment fraud.
• Support half-year/year-end audits with samples and documentation.
• Develop continuity via backup coverage and up-to-date processes.
• Drive automation and system optimisation (NetSuite AP, capture/workflow tools).

Skills

AP leadership

Team development

Internal controls

Analytical skills

Process improvements

Communication

Cloud ERP

NetSuite

Multi-currency payments

Retail/Logistics exposure

Tools

NetSuite

Excel

Word

Job description

Universal Store

From our humble beginnings as a suburban unisex clothing store in 1999, we've grown to more than 100 stores nationally and now deliver the latest in apparel to customers around the world through our thriving online store. Our team carefully curates a mix of local and international labels, working collaboratively to develop exclusive styles and collections that give our customers head to toe outfitting options for every occasion.

Today, we're proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s leading youth fashion retailers. We've built and grown brands such as Neovision, Common Need, Luck & Trouble, and Worship, and we continue to partner with global favourites including Lee Wrangler, AS Colour, Calvin Klein, Stussy and Abrand. As our business has expanded, we've welcomed the Perfect Stranger and Thrills Co brands into our portfolio, allowing us to offer an even broader range of fits, styles and pieces that reflect the diversity of our customer base.

No matter the style, our mission remains the same: elevate every outfit and deliver customer service that goes above and beyond.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and hands on Accounts Payable Manager to lead our AP function at our Eagle Farm Support Office. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller and leading a small team of Accounts Payable Officers, you'll be accountable for the accurate and timely payment of all suppliers, the integrity of our creditor ledgers and the controls that sit over them, across all Group banners.

Beyond the day-to-day, you'll coach and develop your team, build documented processes and backup coverage so the function runs reliably no matter who's in, and drive automation and continuous improvement across the procure-to-pay cycle. This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident finance professional with strong technical expertise, sound judgement and a real commitment to great service, who wants to shape a function in a growing multi-brand retail group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Accounts Payable function across all Group banners, both operationally and as a people leader
• Leading, coaching and developing the AP team, including setting clear expectations, allocating workload and supporting individual development
• Overseeing timely payment of all supplier accounts, including international stock suppliers, and approving daily, weekly and monthly payment batches in line with delegation of authority
• Managing vendor invoice processing and statement reconciliations, including claims, rebates and rental invoices reconciled to our lease management systemMaintaining general ledger and creditor sub-ledger reconciliations, and ensuring accurate expense and cost centre coding
• Monitoring stock supplier balances against approved credit limits and partnering with the Buying team on supplier terms, claims and discrepancies
• Providing daily cash movements and supplier payment term insights to the CFO and Financial Controller to support cash flow forecasting
• Delivering all AP month-end close deliverables and monthly reporting, including aged creditors, vendor spend analysis and supplier payment terms
• Maintaining and enforcing internal controls over procure-to-pay, including segregation of duties, vendor master data integrity and verification of supplier bank detail changes to prevent payment fraud
• Supporting half-year review and year-end audit requirements with samples, reconciliations and supporting documentation
• Building business continuity through cross-training, documented backup coverage and up-to-date process documentation for every critical task
• Driving automation and system optimisation, including NetSuite AP functionality, invoice capture and workflow tools

About You

You are an experienced AP leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and takes real ownership of building a function that is accurate and always improving.

You'll bring:

• Demonstrated experience in an Accounts Payable leadership role
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop a team, including setting expectations and managing performance
• Strong knowledge of AP internal controls, delegation of authority, segregation of duties and payment fraud prevention
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies independently
• A track record of implementing and streamlining system and process improvements
• The ability to document processes and build continuity and backup coverage within a team
• Outstanding attention to detail and excellent time management in a high-volume environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative, service-focused approach
• Hands-on experience with a cloud ERP, plus intermediate to advanced Excel and Word skills
• NetSuite experience will be strongly preferred
• Experience with international suppliers and multi-currency payments, or a background in retail, transport or logistics, will be highly regarded

What We Offer

• A vibrant, collaborative workplace culture with a supportive and growth driven leadership team
• Exclusive staff discounts across our brands, plus access to partner deals and offers through Flare
• Free on-site parking and generous facilities at our modern, purpose-built Support Office located in Eagle Farm
• Learning & Development opportunities - Grow your career with us!
• Hybrid working arrangements with flexibility to work from home
• Salary sacrificing and novated leasing options
• Company paid parental leave
• Wellbeing support through Sonder and regular wellness initiatives
• Regular social events and team activities

Our Values

• Care for Everyone
• Here to Help
• Make it Work
• Better Than Good
• Contribute