Accounts Payable Manager

Whitbread; Dunstable; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 20%

Pension up to 10% contributory

Branded discounts up to 60 % off Hotel

Job summary

Whitbread PLC in Dunstable is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead end-to-end AP across markets. Hybrid working: 3 days a week in the office.

You will drive ownership of AP performance, governance and controls, partner with our outsourced provider and teams across Procurement, Operations, Treasury and Finance to ensure an accurate and efficient service. The role focuses on continuous improvement, automation opportunities, strong supplier relationships and robust balance sheet

Qualifications

• Previous Finance or Accounts Payable experience with end-to-end AP processes.
• Strong problem-solving and prioritisation skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with supplier statement and balance sheet reconciliations; issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team, ensuring an efficient, collaborative and high-performing service across invoice processing and payments.
• Own the end-to-end Accounts Payable process, overseeing invoice validation, approvals, payment runs, reconciliations and the resolution of complex queries and exceptions.
• Maintain strong financial controls and compliance, ensuring AP activities meet internal control requirements, support audit readiness and deliver accurate balance sheet reconciliations.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, partnering with Procurement, Treasury, Finance and Operations to resolve issues and continually improve service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement across Accounts Payable, using performance reporting and insights to identify opportunities for process simplification, automation and wider AP projects.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Excel skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

German language (advantageous)

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

Title: Accounts Payable Manager

Location: Dunstable

Hybrid working: 3 days a week in the office

We're looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead our end-to-end AP operation across multiple markets. You'll play a key role in ensuring an accurate, efficient and well-controlled service, while leading the AP team and working closely with our outsourced partner and teams across Procurement, Operations, Treasury, Tax and Finance.

With ownership of AP performance, controls and governance, you'll also have the opportunity to drive continuous improvement, identify automation opportunities and strengthen the way we work, making this a great role for someone who enjoys combining operational leadership with process transformation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team, ensuring an efficient, collaborative and high-performing service across invoice processing and payments.
• Own the end-to-end Accounts Payable process, overseeing invoice validation, approvals, payment runs, reconciliations and the resolution of complex queries and exceptions.
• Maintain strong financial controls and compliance, ensuring AP activities meet internal control requirements, support audit readiness and deliver accurate balance sheet reconciliations.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, partnering with Procurement, Treasury, Finance and Operations to resolve issues and continually improve service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement across Accounts Payable, using performance reporting and insights to identify opportunities for process simplification, automation and wider AP projects.

Why you'll love it here

• Bonus 20%
• Pension up to 10% contributory
• Branded discounts up to 60 % off Hotel stays at Premier inn and Hub

What You'll Need

• Previous Finance or Accounts Payable experience, with strong knowledge of end-to-end AP processes.
• Strong problem-solving and prioritisation skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to resolve issues effectively.
• Experience of supplier statement and balance sheet reconciliations, taking discrepancies through to full resolution.
• Confident communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build professional relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
• Strong IT and Excel skills, ideally with experience of Oracle ERP and working within a shared service environment; German language skills would also be advantageous.