Credit Control Manager

Phenna Group; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Phenna Group is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead and optimise the AP function across Spain, Italy and other European entities from Leicester. The role focuses on accurate invoice processing, vendor relationship management, and alignment with group policies.

You will drive process improvements, support audits, and partner with Treasury to manage SEPA payments and working capital. English fluency is required; Spanish or Italian language skills are also essential.

Qualifications

• Fluent written and spoken English; proficiency in either Spanish or Italian.
• Experience with AP, AR, GL and Payroll systems is preferred.
• Comfort with cross‑border procedures and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP team for Spanish and Italian entities (S.A./S.L., S.r.l./S.p.A.).
• Direct processing of supplier invoices and credit notes with local e‑invoicing platforms.
• Ensure internal controls and EU regulatory compliance in AP processes.
• Collaborate with Treasury on SEPA runs and cash‑flow management.
• Oversee month‑end AP closures, ageing, accruals and reporting for European entities.
• Drive AP automation and ERP‑level improvements across Southern Europe.
• Maintain audit‑ready documentation for VAT, tax IDs and retention periods.

Skills

English fluency

Communication skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Issue resolution

Process improvement

Time management

Documentation

Accuracy under pressure

Tools

MS Office

RPA tools

Job description

Job Title: AP Manager EMEA
Business Unit: European Division
Reports To: Head of Shared Service
Job Type: Full-time, office-based
Direct Reports: N/A
Location: Leicester, LE3 3AW
Salary: Competitive & based on experience

The Company

Phenna is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Accounts Payable Manager to lead and support their AP function within the division.

Job Summary

The Accounts Payable Manager oversees the company’s payment processes, ensuring that all vendor invoices are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with company policies and relevant regulations. This role is critical to maintaining strong vendor relationships, optimising cash flow, and ensuring internal controls to mitigate risks.

The manager leads the AP team, drives process improvements, and ensures alignment with organisational financial goals while supporting audits and reporting requirements.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop an Accounts Payable team across Spanish (S.A./S.L.) and Italian (S.r.l./S.p.A.) entities, establishing clear performance metrics and training staff on local regulatory standards.


• Invoice Processing Oversight: Direct the processing of supplier invoices and credit notes, ensuring seamless integration with mandatory national e-invoicing platforms (FACe / Veri*Factu in Spain, SDI in Italy) and approving high-value payment batches.


• Financial Controls & Compliance: Enforce strict internal controls and segregation of duties in compliance with EU regulations, statutory accounting practices (PGC in Spain, OIC in Italy), and local tax authority rules (AEAT, Agenzia delle Entrate).


• Cash Flow Management: Partner with Treasury to optimise SEPA payment runs, balancing working capital needs while complying with statutory late payment legislation (e.g., Spanish Ley de Lucha contra la Morosidad).


• Reporting & Analysis: Oversee month-end AP closing, generating ageing summaries, accrual calculations, and cash outflow forecasts for European entities to identify cost‑saving and working capital opportunities.


• Process Optimisation: Drive AP automation and workflow efficiencies across Southern European operations, optimising ERP invoice‑matching engines and localised e‑invoicing integration.


• Vendor Relationship Management: Act as the primary escalation point for major supplier disputes across Spain and Italy, maintaining strategic vendor relationships while navigating regional commercial norms.


• Audit & Documentation: Maintain audit‑ready digital archives of invoices, approvals, and tax documentation, ensuring full compliance with local IVA (VAT) regulations, tax ID validation (NIF/CIF, Partita IVA), and statutory retention periods.


• Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with Procurement, Legal, and Finance teams to align purchasing workflows with regional payables processes and provide executive insight into corporate liability schedules.

Requirements

• Familiarity with integrated systems (AP, AR, GL and Payroll)


• Knowledge of office productivity tools (MS Office)


• Exposure to automation tools (RPA bots, etc.) beneficial

Core Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English, alongside full professional proficiency in either Spanish or Italian, is required.


• Clear communication skills – ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders.


• Customer service orientation – ensuring positive interactions and maintaining a service‑first mentality.


• Team Collaboration – working cohesively within cross‑functional teams.


• Issue Resolution – proficient in identifying discrepancies, investigating root causes, and resolving errors.


• Process Improvement Mindset – suggesting and implementing changes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service relating to processes.


• Accuracy Under Pressure – maintaining attention to detail while managing high volumes.


• Time Management – prioritising tasks to ensure deadlines are met.


• Documentation Skills – ability to accurately keep records for audit and compliance purposes.

Phenna Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer