Purchase Ledger Supervisor

Crowley Cox; North East; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Crowley Cox is seeking a Purchase Ledger Supervisor in Sunderland for a permanent, hybrid role. You will supervise day-to-day purchase ledger activities, coordinate workloads, and support colleagues while ensuring timely invoice processing.

You will report to the Finance Manager and work with the Financial Controller to improve processes, automate tasks, and drive efficiency across multiple entities. Prior AP supervisory experience and ERP exposure are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Substantial practical experience in Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger.
• Experience supervising colleagues or acting as a senior point of support within a transactional finance team.
• Good understanding of purchase ledger processes, supplier master data, VAT and approval controls.
• Experience resolving supplier queries and liaising with internal stakeholders.
• Proficient Excel skills and experience with ERP/accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily purchase ledger workloads and coach colleagues.
• Hands-on supplier invoice processing with correct coding and PO matching.
• Prepare and review payment runs (fortnightly and ad hoc).
• Oversee supplier account setup and master data amendments.
• Monitor aged creditors and supplier reconciliations.
• Support month-end and year-end procedures.

Skills

Accounts Payable

Invoice Processing

Supplier Reconciliations

Payment Runs

Team Supervision

Excel

ERP Systems

VAT Knowledge

Stakeholder Liaison

Process Improvement

Education

AAT Qualification

Accounting Qualification (advantageous)

Tools

ERP Software

Job description

Purchase Ledger Supervisor

Salary: £33,000 to £35,000 Sunderland Hybrid working - minimum 3 days in the office per week

A leading international company is recruiting an experienced Purchase Ledger Supervisor to join its finance team on a permanent, hybrid, full-time basis.

Working within a collaborative finance team, you will take a hands-on role supervising the day-to-day purchase ledger function, coordinating workloads, supporting colleagues and ensuring accurate, timely processing across multiple businesses. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will also work alongside the Financial Controller to improve processes, increase efficiency and introduce AI and automation across core finance activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Accounts Payable professional looking to develop their supervisory career within a forward-thinking group. Based in Sunderland, the role offers hybrid working with a minimum of three days per week in the office. Experience of Business Central / Agresso, and OCR invoice scanning or finance automation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities of the Purchase Ledger Supervisor:

• Coordinate daily purchase ledger workloads, monitor deadlines and provide practical guidance, coaching and cover to colleagues.
• Remain hands-on with supplier invoice processing, ensuring accurate coding, appropriate authorisation and purchase order matching.
• Prepare and review fortnightly and ad hoc payment runs.
• Oversee supplier account setup and master data amendments.
• Monitor aged creditors and supplier reconciliations.
• Act as the first point of escalation for supplier and internal stakeholder queries.
• Oversee cashbook and banking activities undertaken by the Finance Operations Administrator.
• Coordinate corporate credit card processing and review staff expenses.
• Support month-end and year-end procedures.
• Maintain clear process documentation and support staff onboarding, cross-training and consistent working practices across the team.
• Provide hands-on support to the Finance Assistant and Finance Manager.

Skills and experience of the Purchase Ledger Supervisor:

• Substantial practical experience in Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger, including invoice processing, supplier reconciliations and payment runs.
• Previous experience supervising colleagues, coordinating workloads or acting as a senior point of support within a transactional finance team.
• Good understanding of purchase ledger processes, supplier master data, VAT and financial approval controls.
• Experience resolving complex supplier queries and liaising with internal stakeholders.
• Good Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP or accounting systems.
• Experience working within a shared-service or multi-entity finance environment would be advantageous.
• AAT qualified or currently studying towards an accounting qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.
• A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused attitude, with an interest in improving processes and operational efficiency.

This role would suit an experienced Purchase Ledger Supervisor, Accounts Payable Supervisor, Senior Purchase Ledger Clerk or Purchase Ledger Team Leader looking to develop their career within a growing international group.