Accounts Payable Manager

Morgan McKinley (Milton Keynes); Watford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley Northern Home Counties partners with a major retail business to recruit an experienced Accounts Payable Manager. You will lead a high-volume AP operation, ensure accurate processing of supplier invoices and timely payments, and drive process improvements.

The role offers scope to manage a small team, build relationships across finance and procurement, and contribute to month-end activities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume accounts payable environments.
• Able to lead and develop a small AP team.
• Strong attention to detail and timely payments.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of a high-volume AP function in a busy retail environment.
• Lead, support and develop the AP team to maintain service levels.
• Oversee processing and matching of supplier invoices against POs and goods received.
• Monitor invoice discrepancies and resolve issues with suppliers and internal teams.
• Review supplier statements and reconcile accounts.
• Oversee payment runs ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Produce regular AP performance reports and drive process improvements.
• Support month-end/year-end activities and audits.

Skills

Accounts payable

Team management

Invoice processing

Vendor relations

Excel

Financial controls

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Morgan McKinley Northern Home Counties are proud to be working in partnership with a large and well-established retail business to recruit an experienced and commercially focused Accounts Payable Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to take ownership of a high-volume Accounts Payable function, lead a team and play a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of the purchase-to-pay process.

Role

Working as part of a large finance function, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Accounts Payable operation, ensuring high volumes of supplier invoices and payments are processed accurately, efficiently and within agreed timescales.

• Manage the day-to-day operation of a high-volume Accounts Payable function within a busy retail environment.
• Lead, support and develop the Accounts Payable team, ensuring workloads are effectively managed and service levels are maintained.
• Oversee the processing and matching of high volumes of supplier invoices against purchase orders and goods received.
• Monitor invoice discrepancies and work closely with suppliers, buying teams, stores, warehouses and other internal departments to resolve issues.
• Review supplier statements, aged creditor balances and outstanding invoices, ensuring accounts are accurate and fully reconciled.
• Oversee regular supplier payment runs, ensuring payments are accurate, timely and in line with agreed terms.
• Manage escalated supplier queries and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor Accounts Payable performance, producing regular reporting and analysis around invoices, payments, discrepancies and outstanding balances.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls and processes are maintained across the Accounts Payable function.
• Support month-end and year-end activities, including reconciliations, accruals and other relevant accounting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve Accounts Payable processes, systems and controls, with a focus on efficiency and accuracy.
• Work closely with wider finance teams to resolve issues and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Support internal and external audit requirements and provide information as required.
• Assist with finance projects and other ad-hoc activities as required.

Profile

• Previous experience within an Accounts Payable, Purchase Ledger or transactional finance environment, ideally gained within a high-volume retail, FMCG, wholesale or similarly fast-paced organisation.
• Previous experience managing or supervising an Accounts Payable team would be highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end Accounts Payable process, including invoice processing, supplier reconciliations, payment runs and query resolution.
• Experience managing high volumes of invoices and transactions across a large supplier base.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy when working with financial information.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with large volumes of financial data.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across finance, procurement, buying, operations and external suppliers.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to investigate discrepancies and resolve complex queries.
• Experience working with large-scale finance or ERP systems would advantageously.

Salary & Benefits

The role of Accounts Payable Manager offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, alongside the opportunity to join a large and established retail organisation and develop your career within a substantial finance function