Accounts Payable Assistant (FTC)

Sterling Pharma Solutions; Dudley; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Cycle to work scheme

Death in service coverage

Employee assistance programme

Wellbeing support on-site

Job summary

Sterling Pharma Solutions Limited is seeking an Accounts Payable Assistant on a fixed-term basis (up to 6 months) at our Dudley site. You will handle Esker and SAP invoices, manage authorisations, reconcile supplier statements and support year-end processes in a fast-paced finance environment.

The role requires AP experience, SAP/MS Office skills, and the ability to work accurately under pressure. You’ll be part of the Finance team, with opportunities to develop and contribute to ongoing process

Qualifications

• Prior accounts payable experience is essential.
• Skilled in mainframe financial systems (prefer SAP) and proficient in MS Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
• No formal higher qualifications required; basic accounting knowledge helpful.
• Strong communication and accuracy under pressure.
• Good planning and organisational skills with flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Match and process invoices to AP system (Esker) against PO and GR.
• Obtain authorisation on supplier invoices per internal controls.
• Reconciliation of supplier statements.
• Prepare AP reports for Treasury controller.
• Complete journal entries in SAP.
• Provide cover for AP colleagues during absence.
• Compliance with safety, health and environmental requirements.

Skills

Accounts payable experience

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Basic accounting principles

Tools

SAP

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Summary of the Accounts Payable Assistant (FTC) role

As the Accounts Payable Assistant, you will be based at our site in Cramlington, Northumberland and will be required to carry out assigned Esker and SAP transactions in an accurate and timely manner, including register, post, and propose for payment, all supplier invoices and credit notes received on site.
Location: Dudley, Northumberland, UK
Department: Finance
Reference: VN1446
Please note, this is a temporary position for a fixed period of up to 6 months.

Your Responsibilities

• Match and process invoices to AP system (Esker) against purchase order and goods receipt.
• Obtain sufficient and appropriate authorisation on supplier invoices in accordance with internal control procedures
• Reconciliation of supplier statements
• Open, prioritise, distribute and file post for the Finance department.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding Invoice queries / payment queries
• Investigate and escalation legal action notifications
• Attend internal/external meetings when required
• GR/IR clearing
• Prepare AP reports for Treasury controller (eg QI blocked invoices)
• Release invoices when requested by Treasury controller
• Completion of journal entries into SAP
• Assist, when requested, with YE audits (documentation requests)
• Provide cover (sickness/holiday etc) for AP colleagues in their absence
• Other ad-hoc tasks when required
• Comply with all safety, health, and environmental requirements.
• Embodying our company values, which are: be reliable, be caring, be transparent and be willing.

Requirements for the role

• Prior accounts payable experience
• Must be skilled in the use of mainframe financial systems (preferably SAP) and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications in particular Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• No formal higher qualifications required, although some knowledge of basic accounting principles would be useful. Minimum requirements are good school leaving certificates.
• Good communication skills, especially when dealing with external suppliers.
• Ability to work under pressure with a high degree of accuracy and integrity.
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Flexibility to meet changing requirements as a result of the business situation.
• Initiative to deal with difficult supplier situations re overdue payments and disputed invoices.
• Discretion and confidentiality to be exercised where appropriate.

How You Will Be Rewarded

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including bonus, pension scheme, private healthcare, Engagement Hub, cycle to work scheme, death in service coverage, on-site health and wellbeing support including medical consultations and physiotherapy, 24/7 employee assistance programme, employee referral scheme, sports and social club as well as opportunity for training and further career development.

Why consider Sterling?

Sterling Pharma Solutions is a global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) with more than 50 years’ experience in developing and manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). This is complemented by Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) research, development and clinical manufacturing services.
We are a fast growing, dynamic business with facilities in the UK, US and Europe, where we employ talented and passionate people who support our customers in bringing new medicines to market, improving and saving the lives of patients.
Our culture and our way of working is what really sets us apart as a business; we aim to deliver an exceptional experience to our customers and our employees. You can expect to be part of a supportive team, all working towards a shared goal: to deliver first-class science and service to our customers every day.

Sterling Pharma Solutions is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Deadline for applications: 19 Nov 2026

Be caring. Be transparent. Be willing. Be reliable.