Accounts Payable Manager

Happy Days Nurseries; Swindon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support

Generous annual leave from day one

People’s Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries is expanding and opening a second support hub in Swindon. The Accounts Payable lead will manage the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, ensuring invoices are processed accurately, suppliers are paid on time, and robust financial controls are maintained while leading a small AP team of three.

You will drive continuous improvement, build strong supplier relationships, and support audits. AAT Level 4 or equivalent qualification and multi-site AP experience, with proficiency in

Qualifications

• Qualified to AAT Level 4 or equivalent.
• Experience leading AP teams and processes.
• Experience in multi-site or multi-entity AP operations.
• Strong Excel and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP team and ensure accuracy, service, and compliance.
• Manage end-to-end purchase-to-pay processes, including approvals and payments.
• Oversee supplier payments, cash flow schedules and AP reporting.
• Maintain robust financial controls and support audit requirements.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders; drive process improvements.

Skills

AP processes

Team leadership

Excel

Stakeholder management

Accounting software

Three-way matching

Education

AAT Level 4 or AP qualification

Tools

Accounting software

AP workflow systems

Banking platforms

Job description

About Happy Days

Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.

The Role

Managing significant volumes and value of supplier payments, you'll be responsible for the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, ensuring invoices are processed accurately, suppliers are paid on time, and robust financial controls are maintained.

Leading a team of three, you'll combine operational excellence with people leadership, supplier management and continuous improvement, helping to create an efficient, scalable and well-controlled AP function that supports our growing business.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing the Accounts Payable team, ensuring high standards of accuracy, service, performance and compliance.
• Managing the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, including invoice approvals, payment runs, supplier reconciliations and month-end activities.
• Overseeing supplier payments, cash flow schedules and AP reporting, ensuring accurate records and effective working capital management.
• Maintaining robust financial controls, policies and procedures to safeguard the business and support audit requirements.
• Building strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, resolving escalations, improving collaboration and supporting operational efficiency.
• Driving continuous improvement by streamlining processes, strengthening controls and supporting the integration of new sites and systems as the business grows.

Leading and Supporting Others

You'll lead, coach and support a team of three AP clerks.

You'll:

• Set clear expectations and support your team to do their best work.
• Manage workloads and make sure deadlines are met.
• Coach and develop team members.
• Hold regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
• Help the team adapt to new processes and systems.
• Build a positive, supportive and collaborative team culture.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with strong commercial awareness, leadership skills and a passion for improving the way things work.

You'll:

• Be qualified to AAT Level 4 or equivalent or AP/accounting qualification, with a strong understanding of AP processes, three-way matching and supplier management.
• Have experience in leading and managing teams, establishing AP processes and managing multi-site or multi-entity AP operations.
• Have a strong knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes, supplier management and financial controls.
• Have excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, along with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Be proficient with accounting software and AP modules, AP workflow systems and banking/payment platforms along with strong Excel skills, and the ability to build payment schedules and analysis.

It Would Be Great If You Also Have

• Experience of AP process improvement, automation or system implementation and/or supporting acquisitions, integrations or high-growth businesses.

What We Offer

We’re proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.

Flexible Working

Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you’ll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.

Learning and Development

• Support with accounting CPD requirements.
• Opportunities to grow your career.

Health and Wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Generous annual leave from day one.
• People’s Pension.
• Life assurance.

Closing Date:

21st August

Interview Dates:

First Stage: 24 th August to 28 th August
Second Stage: 31 st August to 4 th September

Inclusion and Safeguarding

Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.