Purchase Ledger Manager

Headstar; England; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On site gym

Parking

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Job summary

Headstar is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager in the United Kingdom to own the full AP function. You will manage PO processes, run monthly supplier payments, resolve discrepancies, and act as the main point of contact for supplier queries.

This stand-alone role requires hands-on ownership, keen attention to detail and the ability to streamline processes. There are no direct reports, but you will drive improvements across the AP cycle and controls.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Accounts Payable Manager or senior AP position.
• Experience handling high invoice volumes and managing the full AP cycle.
• A strong understanding of purchase order processes, supplier payments and reconciliations.
• The confidence to challenge internal stakeholders when processes aren't being followed.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage your own workload.

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of the procurement and PO process, working with budget holders to resolve discrepancies and improve compliance.
• Preparing and executing monthly supplier payment runs, ensuring payments are accurate and on time.
• Serving as the main contact for supplier queries, invoice discrepancies and payment issues.
• Managing supplier statement reconciliations and maintaining accurate AP ledger records.
• Performing regular bank reconciliations and investigating discrepancies.
• Overseeing company credit cards and ensuring policy adherence.
• Setting up new suppliers and verifying bank details and key information.
• Preparing statutory payment practices reporting and monitoring payment performance.
• Supporting month-end activities, including accruals and reconciliations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and introduce automation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Workload management

PO and supplier payments understanding

AP process knowledge

Job description

No team to manage, no hiding behind processes - just full ownership of a busy AP function.

Not every Accounts Payable Manager wants to spend their days managing people, some would rather get on with the job. Own the ledger, fix the problems, improve the processes, and make sure suppliers get paid.

If that sounds like you, this could be worth a conversation.

This is a standalone position, so you'll need to be comfortable rolling your sleeves up and taking responsibility for the whole thing.

What you'll be doing:

• Taking ownership of the purchase order process, working with budget holders to resolve discrepancies and improve compliance.
• Preparing and executing monthly supplier payment runs, ensuring payments are accurate and made on time.
• Acting as the main point of contact for supplier queries, invoice discrepancies and payment issues.
• Managing supplier statement reconciliations and maintaining accurate AP ledger records.
• Performing regular bank reconciliations and investigating any discrepancies.
• Overseeing company credit cards, including resolving queries and ensuring policies are followed.
• Setting up new suppliers and verifying bank details and other key information.
• Preparing statutory payment practices reporting and monitoring payment performance.
• Supporting month-end activities, including accruals and reconciliations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and introduce automation.

What you'll need:

• Previous experience in an Accounts Payable Manager or senior AP position.
• Experience handling high invoice volumes and managing the full AP cycle.
• A strong understanding of purchase order processes, supplier payments and reconciliations.
• The confidence to challenge internal stakeholders when processes aren't being followed.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage your own workload.

What's in it for you?

• An annual salary of c£38k
• 25 days annual leave + BH's
• The opportunity to be part of a growing business
• On site gym and parking

A few things worth knowing:

There are no direct reports, so you won't be managing a team, sitting in endless meetings or delegating the actual work to someone else.

You'll be the person responsible for making sure the AP function runs properly.

And, when something isn't working, you'll have the opportunity to change it.

So, if you're an experienced AP professional who enjoys being hands-on, likes having ownership and doesn't need someone telling them what to do every five minutes, this could be a very good fit.