Financial Operations Manager (Retail AP & AR)

Jollyes; Epping Forest; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus scheme

Hybrid role

Discounts on Jollyes products

Additional paid leave

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

David Lloyd Clubs discount

Job summary

Jollyes is seeking a Financial Operations Manager (Retail AP/AR) based in Waltham Abbey with a hybrid working pattern. You will lead the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams, driving cash flow optimization, controls, and automation to support a high-volume retail business.

The role requires proven supervisory experience in AP/AR, with a finance degree preferred and ERP system experience (NetSuite, SAP, Sage, Oracle or Xero) along with advanced Excel skills.

Qualifications

• A degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration is preferred; AAT, ACCA, CIMA or CICM certification is advantageous.
• Proven experience managing AP and AR, with supervisory responsibilities.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with mid-to-large ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Sage, Oracle or Xero).

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor and develop the AP/AR teams and manage complex ledger issues.
• Oversee supplier invoicing, PO matching and payment runs; resolve vendor disputes.
• Manage billing, cash allocation and credit control; set credit limits and collection strategies.
• Maximise recoveries from vendor agreements including rebates and credits.
• Monitor cash flow KPIs, keep aged debt low, and provide forecasts to senior management.
• Close AP/AR sub-ledgers in the first week of month-end with reconciliations.
• Maintain robust financial controls and fraud prevention in line with audits.
• Identify bottlenecks and lead automation projects (OCR, ERP upgrades).

Skills

Leadership

Cash flow management

Vendor negotiations

Analytical thinking

Process automation

Education

Accounting degree

ACCA/CIMA/AAT certs advantageous

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Sage

Oracle

Xero

Excel

Job description

Financial Operations Manager (Retail AP/AR), based Waltham Abbey (Hybrid role). Salary £40-55k p.a. (dep on exp) + many benefits. An exciting time to join an award-winning retail business in a phase of growth, in an impactful team to provide leadership to our Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams, overseeing the complex transactional lifecycle of a high volume retail business. It’s a great time to embark on your finance career with Jollyes!

The Benefits

At Jollyes, we’re as passionate about our people as we are about our pets! We think our tail-wagging benefits package reflects our appreciation for all that our colleagues do and provides support where it’s needed most.

• Competitive salary of £40-55k p.a. (depending on experience)
• Company bonus scheme based on achieving objectives
• iTrent financial wellbeing package, powered by Stream, enabling access to earnings before pay day plus lots more discounts and savings benefits.
• Retail Trust membership – free counselling, wellbeing and financial support for the retail industry
• Colleague ‘Treats’ – numerous discounts on hundreds of high street retailers and online service providers from groceries to fashion, holidays and cinema trips
• Colleague wellbeing & medical support services – online GP, mental health support, get fit programme and much more.
• 30% off Jollyes branded products (and 20% off other brands in store for your pet’s needs!) with discounts for our pet clinics too.
• Additional paid leave for your wedding, new pet coming home and your birthday off!
• Enhanced maternity / paternity leave as well as family friendly policies on fertility and neonatal care.
• Discounted membership for David Lloyd Clubs - access to gym, pool, spa, classes, racquet sports, kids clubs and more

Further benefits on completion of probationary period (Critical illness, life assurance, PMI, enhanced pension).

This is a full time, hybrid role involving a minimum of 3 x office days per week at our pet-friendly support office in Waltham Abbey (Essex) and up to 2 x days per week from home (or other Jollyes location as preferred). 37.5 hours per week.

The Role – Financial Operations Manager (Retail AP/AR)

This role sits within our Finance team who play a vital role in supporting the commercial and operating success of the business. Overseeing the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams, you will protect margins, optimise cash flow and ensure rigorous audit compliance across inventory, supply chain, CAPEX and property payments, and recoveries from vendor agreements.

A full job description is available on request, but to summarise your key responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor and develop the team, allocate workflows, manage performance and act as the escalation point for complex ledger issues.
• Accounts Payable (Procure-to-Pay): Oversee supplier invoicing, PO matching and payment runs (BACS/CHAPS/SEPA), and resolve high-level vendor disputes.
• Accounts Receivable (Order-to-Cash): Manage billing, cash allocation and credit control, setting credit limits and collection strategies to minimise bad debt.
• Vendor Recoveries: Maximise recoveries from vendor agreements, including rebates, allowances and credits.
• Cash Flow & KPIs: Monitor DRO and DPO, keep 90+ day aged debt below 1% of receivables, and provide cash flow forecasts and ageing reports to senior management.
• Month-End: Close the AP and AR sub-ledgers within the first week, including bank reconciliations, balance sheet reviews and journals.
• Controls & Compliance: Maintain robust financial controls, segregation of duties and fraud prevention, in line with audit requirements.
• Process Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and lead automation projects, such as OCR integration or ERP upgrades.

The Skills – Financial Operations Manager (Retail AP/AR)

To be successful in this role, you’ll need the following skills, experience and qualities:

• Experience: Proven experience managing both Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, with established experience in a supervisory or leadership role, managing people.
• Qualifications: A degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration is preferred; AAT, ACCA, CIMA or CICM (or equivalent) certification is highly advantageous.
• Technical: Advanced Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and hands-on experience with mid-to-large ERP systems (e.g. NetSuite, SAP, Sage, Oracle or Xero).
• Communication: Outstanding communication skills for vendor negotiations and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Analytical: A strong analytical mindset and excellent organisational skills.
• Leadership: Confident team leadership with a drive for process automation and efficiency.
• Share our values of being: Wise, Focused, Genuine, Eager, Together

About Jollyes Pets

Jollyes are an award-winning UK pet retailer with over 125 stores and over 50 years of pet expertise between our paws. Previous winners of the Retail Week award for ‘Best Retailer’ (under £250m t/o), and listed in the Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work’ you really can be sure you’re joining a great brand and employer, trusted by our customers and our colleagues. Accredited by 'Rest Less' as an age-inclusive employer we welcome applications of all ages, and with our accreditation to the Pet Sustainability Coalition, we're friendly to pets people and the planet too!