Accounting Manager - Accounts Payable

Lagardère Travel Retail; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Holiday allowance

Cash plan

Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Lagardère Travel Retail is seeking an Accounting Manager - Accounts Payable to lead the AP function across UK & Ireland for a fast-paced travel retail business.

You will drive timely supplier payments, strong controls, VAT compliance, and continuous improvement, while coaching a team of Accounts Assistants and Senior Accounts Assistants. This role partners with Operations, Procurement and external auditors, and supports month-end close, system upgrades and performance metrics to deliver value.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) or equivalent experience.
• Strong SAP experience.
• Proven experience managing an Accounts Payable function in a multi-site, high-volume environment.
• Strong people leadership including coaching and developing finance teams.
• Experience leading process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong understanding of VAT, financial controls, and accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function across UK and Ireland entities.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices, employee expenses, payment runs, and vendor account reconciliations.
• Maintain robust controls to ensure compliance with company policies, financial regulations, VAT requirements, and audit standards.
• Monitor accounts payable performance against KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage supplier escalations and resolve complex queries professionally and effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)

Tools

SAP

Excel

Financial systems

Job description

Exciting opportunity to join a global leader in travel retail, supporting a fast-paced retail and food service business where every day brings new opportunities to grow and make an impact.

Job purpose

The Accounting Manager - Accounts Payable is responsible for leading and developing the Accounts Payable function across a diverse Travel Retail business operating Retail and Food & Beverage locations throughout the UK and Ireland.

This role will ensure the accurate, efficient, and timely processing of supplier payments while maintaining strong financial controls, compliance, and vendor relationships.

A key focus of the position, particularly during its initial phase, is to review, challenge, and enhance current Accounts Payable processes, identifying opportunities for standardisation, automation, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with technical accounting expertise and a continuous improvement mindset to create a best-in-class accounts payable function capable of supporting a growing and fast-paced business.

• Bonus – Performance-based bonus on top of your salary
• 25 days holiday – Plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Cash Plan – Support towards everyday health costs including dental, optical and physiotherapy
• Pension – Up to 3% monthly employer contribution
• Life Assurance – Cover of 2x your base salary

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function across UK and Ireland entities.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices, employee expenses, payment runs, and vendor account reconciliations.
• Maintain robust controls to ensure compliance with company policies, financial regulations, VAT requirements, and audit standards.
• Monitor accounts payable performance against agreed service levels and KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage supplier escalations and resolve complex queries professionally and effectively.

People Management & Team Development

• Lead, coach, motivate, and develop a team of Accounts Assistants and Senior Accounts Assistants.
• Set clear objectives and performance expectations aligned to business priorities.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, development discussions, and succession planning activities.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and customer-focused team culture.
• Ensure adequate resource planning and workload allocation across the team.

Process Improvement & Transformation

• Conduct a comprehensive review of current accounts payable processes, systems, controls, and ways of working.
• Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, manual workarounds, and opportunities for automation.
• Design and implement process improvements that enhance accuracy, productivity, compliance, and supplier experience.
• Partner with the Operations teams to streamline end-to-end purchase-to-pay processes.
• Drive standardisation of accounts payable processes across retail and F&B operations.
• Support implementation of new systems, workflows, and digital solutions where appropriate.
• Establish meaningful management information and reporting to support decision-making and performance management.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, delegation of authority, and financial governance frameworks.
• Oversee supplier statement reconciliations and resolution of aged balances.
• Support month-end activities including accruals, accounts payable close processes, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Partner with internal and external auditors and ensure all accounts payable-related audit requirements are met.
• Continuously assess risks within the accounts payable process and implement mitigation plans.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with operational leaders across Retail and F&B business units.
• Act as the primary finance contact for accounts payable related matters.
• Collaborate closely with procurement to improve supplier onboarding, payment terms, and vendor management practices.
• Maintain positive relationships with key suppliers and external partners.
• Influence stakeholders to adopt best practices and support process changes.

Key Performance Indicators

• Invoice processing accuracy and timeliness.
• Reduction in overdue supplier balances.
• Accounts payable process efficiency and productivity metrics.
• Team engagement and performance.
• Audit findings and control compliance.
• Delivery of continuous improvement initiatives and measurable cost savings.
• Stakeholder and supplier satisfaction levels.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or qualified by significant experience.
• Strong SAP experience.
• Proven experience managing an Accounts Payable function within a multi-site, high-volume environment.
• Strong people leadership experience, including managing, coaching, and developing finance teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance, VAT, and accounting principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive change across multiple business functions.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems capability.
• Experience within Travel Retail, Retail, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, or other high-volume consumer-facing businesses.
• Experience supporting UK and Irish operations.
• Project management or continuous improvement experience.

Our Values - Can You Feel The HEAT?

HONESTY – Working ethically, fostering openness and treating each other fairly

EXCELLENCE – Delivering first-class customer service and upholding high standards

ACCOUNTABILITY – Taking ownership, making decisions and delivering on our commitments

TEAM SPIRIT – Working together, supporting each other and being active partners in our wider communities

Our company

One of the two divisions of the Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail is a pioneering global leader in the travel retail industry and the only operator to have established a comprehensive and world-recognised leadership across multiple business activities.

Cumulating more than 170 years of experience in travel retail since the opening of the first bookstore in 1852 at Paris Gare de Lyon, we deliver new experiences for travelers every day.

Operating over 5,000 stores across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries worldwide, we generated €5.2bn sales in 2022.

At Lagardère Travel Retail we believe an inclusive and diverse culture can help businesses and people thrive. We are committed to create a work environment where our people can fulfil their potential and be themselves and to support each and every one of them in achieving their ambitions. We welcome and consider all applicants regardless of their background and can ensure all candidates will receive a fair and equal treatment.