Accounts Payable Associate

NHS Supply Chain; Alfreton CP; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A Healthcare Supply Organization in the UK is seeking an Accounts Payable Associate. In this hybrid position, you will manage supplier invoices, ensure compliance, and foster relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. The ideal candidate has Accounts Payable experience and excellent Excel skills. This role offers competitive salary and generous benefits including bonus schemes and training opportunities.

Benefits

Hybrid working opportunities

Annual bonus schemes

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous pension scheme

Discounts from Blue Light Card

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier debt according to agreed terms and policies.
• Resolve queries to maintain continuity of supply.
• Develop relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Process and pay supplier invoices timely and accurately.
• Ensure accuracy of supplier accounts.
• Provide information on supplier account status.

Skills

Experience in a busy Accounts Payable environment

Excellent Excel skills

Ability to work in a high-volume Finance Department

Education

GCSEs at grade C or above in Maths and English

Job description

Overview

Job Title Accounts Payable (AP) Associate
Function Finance & Trading
Location Alfreton/Hybrid
Contract type Permanent
Salary £25,650 with potential to rise to £28,500 over 3 years
Closing Date Monday 20th October 2025

NHS Supply Chain currently has an opportunity for an Accounts Payable Associate to join our team during an exciting period of transformation, working to make it easier for the NHS to put patients first.

Working as part of the Financial Control and Transactional Services team, the AP Associate is responsible for ensuring invoices are processed accurately in line with internal policies, accounting standards, and VAT regulations. The role also supports smooth AP operations, including supplier maintenance, supplier statement reconciliations, and producing payment runs where necessary. The AP Associate will support the AP management team and peers to ensure delivery in all areas. This role requires a continuous improvement mindset to streamline processes and bring new procedures, as well as excellent communication skills and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage supplier debt in accordance with agreed terms, policies and procedures.
• Promptly resolve queries to maintain continuation of supply and maximise the benefits from prompt settlement discounts.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Process, reconcile & pay supplier invoices in accordance with agreed standards.
• Ensure the integrity of supplier accounts.
• Provide accurate & timely information on the status of supplier accounts to inform business decisions, identify & escalate issues & manage supplier expectations.
• Provide cover to other members of the team as and when required.
• Maintain processes & controls to ensure transactions are recorded accurately, timely & in accordance with agreed accounting standards.
• Develop functional understanding of systems, processes and controls to effectively perform the role.
• Develop commercial awareness and capability to proactively manage supplier relationships in accordance with agreed guidelines.

What can we offer you?

• Hybrid working opportunities, giving flexibility to work in the office and remotely.
• Annual bonus schemes, long service, and VIP colleagues awards.
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• Development through in-house training, support, and access to external qualifications.
• Well-being focus with 1 day of paid well-being leave and 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous pension scheme (with NHS contributing 12% when you contribute 6%).
• Access to Flexible Benefits Scheme with options such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance, and additional pension contributions.
• 2 days of paid volunteering leave.
• Discounts from Blue Light Card to NHS Discounts.

NHS Supply Chain, who are we?

Our role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health. We are a part of the NHS family, sourcing, delivering and supplying healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres, managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations. Doing this on behalf of the NHS gives NHS staff more time to focus on providing excellent patient care.

What skills will help you thrive in this role?

• Experience in a busy Accounts Payable environment.
• Ability to work in a high-volume Finance Department.
• Excellent Excel skills with the ability to create pivot tables and VLOOKUPs. An Excel test may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• GCSEs at grade C or above in Maths and English.

Want to develop your career with NHS Supply Chain? Then apply below or reach out for an informal discussion about the role in confidence by emailing [e-mail]

Our Inclusive Commitment

We are committed to building an inclusive environment where difference is valued and celebrated, giving everyone the opportunity to thrive in their career. If this role sounds right but your experience doesn’t match perfectly, we still encourage you to apply.

If you require additional support with the application process, contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail] for alternative ways to apply.

We reserve the right to close any vacancy when the shortlist is met. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

SCCL is a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 10881715, acting as the management function of the NHS Supply Chain.