Accounts Payable Team Leader

Safran; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Gloucester site is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to lead a small team, ensuring timely processing of invoices, and driving continuous improvement across the AP function.

You will coach Accounts Assistants, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with Financial Controllers to ensure accuracy, compliance and timely month-end close. The role emphasizes process improvement and adoption of new technologies within a shared services environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in accounts payable roles.
• Demonstrated people leadership and coaching ability.
• Strong analytical and numeric proficiency.
• Effective communication with internal teams and suppliers.
• Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP team to ensure timely and accurate invoice processing.
• Coach and develop Accounts Assistants; manage workload and performance.
• Maintain supplier relationships and resolve queries promptly.
• Support month-end close and ensure compliance with procedures.
• Identify process improvements and participate in technology implementations.

Skills

Accounts Payable

People leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

MS Office

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our team as a Accounts Payable Team Leader at our Gloucester site.

At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.

We're looking for an experienced and proactive Accounts Payable professional to join our team and play a key role in delivering a high-quality AP service across the business. You'll combine strong financial and analytical skills with people leadership, supporting and developing the team while driving accuracy, efficiency and continuous improvement. This is a great opportunity to make a real impact, build strong relationships across the business and help shape the future of our Accounts Payable function.

• Assistance for operational teams on economic issues
• Support for calculation of margins on contracts, provisions, etc. for each accounting period
• The responsibilities associated with these roles are:
• oprovide the information needed for operational accounting purposes
• People Management responsibility for Accounts Assistants. Part of the role will be to support, develop and coach members of team with their personal and professional development, ensuring that they are appropriately involved in operational issues and project work as appropriate.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of invoices/credits received Ensure that non purchase order invoices obtain the necessary level of authorisation.
• Build excellent relationships with Suppliers and internal departments to resolve any queries on a timely basis.
• Reconciling supplier's statements to AP Ledger and GRNI (goods received not invoiced), ensuring all discrepancies are resolved.
• Weekly Payment runs for all currencies are accurate and on time.
• Exhibit positive role model behaviour, ensuring an environment that promotes a professional, open culture, fosters teamwork, flexibility, and enables continuous development of the team.
• Ensure service levels are always a high standard and customer satisfaction is priority.
• Identification of process improvement opportunities and creation of action plans.
• Support the integration of new technologies.
• Face of Accounts Payable service for the Business Unit, including monthly & quarterly review meetings with Financial Controllers/Directors.
• Support with all Accounts Payable recruitment, as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with Group accounting procedures.
• Ensure month end tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure the team comply with all legal, audit and internal control requirements.

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION

• Attend meetings at other locations is required
• Adhere to all Accounting standards relating to accounts payable.
• Follow strict procedures when dealing with master data and bank details updates to protect the company against fraud.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.
• Undertake any training and development activities at the request of your line manager.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at all times.

Essential

• Demonstrate experience of working within similar Accounts Payable roles.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Previous experience of working with ERP systems.
• Proficient administration, numerical, planning and organizational skills.
• A comprehensive understanding of the 'purchase to pay' process.
• Knowledge of general accounting procedures
• Proficient and accurate in data entry and management
• Significate accounts payable or general accounting experience
• Analytical skills covering written, graphic, numerical & statistical information

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with SAP.
• Previous experience of working within a managerial role.
• Previous experience within a dynamic, responsive, fast paced team.
• Experience of working within a Shared Service Centre environment.
• Implemented new technologies
• Previous project work experience
• Change Management
• Strong coaching and people management skills
• AAT Accounting Qualification