Accounts Payable Team Leader

Commercial Services Group; East Malling; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £32k pro rata

25 days leave

Concessionary day off

Life assurance 4x salary

Employer pension

Discounts & health plan

Wellbeing programme

CSG Academy

Hybrid 2 days in office

Job summary

Commercial Services Group is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to oversee supplier payments and drive improvements within Finance Operations. The role leads a team across AP processes and reporting, with a focus on accuracy, timeliness and controls.

The position is a 6 month fixed term maternity cover with hybrid working, based in Aylesford. Strong leadership and Excel skills are essential for success in this busy Shared Services environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger team.
• Strong Excel skills including PivotTables and VLOOKUPs.
• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of AP professionals.
• Oversee supplier invoice processing and payments.
• Ensure accurate coding and approvals within SLAs.
• Act as escalation point for supplier queries and disputes.
• Produce management information, KPIs and reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and automation.
• Maintain robust financial controls and compliance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive operational excellence.
• Support audit requirements with relevant financial information.

Skills

Accounts Payable

Team leadership

Excel

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Tools

Pivot Tables

VLOOKUPs

Job description

Location: Aylesford/Hybrid

Contract type: 6 Month Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Shape the future of our finance operations and lead a team that keeps the business running smoothly.

We're looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to join Commercial Services Group and oversee the efficient delivery of supplier payments, process improvements and team performance across our finance function.

Who we are

Commercial Services Group (CSG) is one of the UK's leading providers of business services, supporting customers across the public and private sectors. Through our diverse portfolio of businesses, we deliver services spanning education, procurement, energy, IT, HR, legal and finance.

Our Corporate Shared Services function provides the operational foundations that allow our businesses to thrive, supporting finance functions across the wider group.

Why this role matters

A strong Accounts Payable function is essential to maintaining positive supplier relationships and ensuring the smooth operation of the business. This role leads the team responsible for supplier invoice processing, payment management and continuous improvement initiatives within Finance Operations.

What you'll be doing

• Leading, motivating and developing a team of Accounts Payable professionals
• Managing the effective processing of supplier invoices and payments
• Ensuring invoice approvals, coding and processing are completed accurately and within agreed service levels
• Acting as an escalation point for supplier queries, invoice disputes and complex payment issues
• Producing management information, KPIs and operational reporting
• Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes and automation
• Maintaining robust financial controls and compliance standards
• Building relationships with stakeholders across the business to support operational excellence
• Supporting audit requirements and providing relevant financial information when required
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement and high performance within the team

What we're looking for

• Previous experience managing an Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger team
• Strong understanding of Accounts Payable processes, controls and supplier management
• Proven people management and leadership experience
• Strong Excel and reporting skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs
• Experience producing operational reports, KPIs and management information
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience implementing process improvements and driving efficiencies
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and a proactive mindset

What you'll get in return

• Salary of £32,000 per annum (Pro rata)
• 25 days annual leave (Pro rata)
• One Concessionary Day off during the Christmas Period
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• Pension scheme with employer contribution
• Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme
• Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme
• Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress
• Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy
• Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office

Why CSG?

CSG is the UK's largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally.

We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact.

As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds.

As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.