Accounts Payable Manager

Accounts Payable Manager – Hereford

This UK-based, full-time Accounts Payable Manager role leads the end-to-end accounts
payable function across the Ambrey group of companies. Reporting directly to the CFO, the postholder will manage a UK and overseas team of 4–5 direct reports and provide clear performance reporting, insight and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board.

The Role

The role will build a consistent, scalable and well-controlled accounts payable operation
across the group. The Accounts Payable Manager will lead change, design and implement
standardised processes and controls, improve systems and data, and ensure effective
collaboration between UK stakeholders and the overseas accounts payable team. The
postholder must be willing and able to travel to India when required to work directly with the
AP team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Management

• Lead the end-to-end accounts payable function, including supplier onboarding,
• invoice processing, payment runs, supplier statement reconciliations and query
• resolution.
• Ensure invoices and payments are processed accurately and on time, in accordance
  with company policy, delegated authority, contractual terms and applicable tax
  requirements.
• Manage month-end and year-end close activities, including ledger review, accruals,
  aged creditor analysis, GRNI review, reconciliations and reporting.
• Maintain the integrity and completeness of the accounts payable ledger across all
  group entities.

Controls, Compliance and Risk

• Design, implement, document and monitor a robust accounts payable control
  framework, including segregation of duties, approval matrices and payment
  authorisation controls.
• Maintain effective supplier master-data controls, including independent verification
  of new suppliers and changes to supplier data (addresses, bank details etc).
• Implement preventative and detective controls for duplicate invoices, duplicate
  payments, fraud, errors and unauthorised transactions.
• Ensure compliance with UK VAT & UAE VAT requirements, internal policies, audit
  requirements and relevant local obligations across overseas entities.
• Perform regular control testing, investigate exceptions, retain appropriate audit
  evidence and ensure timely remediation of identified weaknesses.

Process Improvement and Change

• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of standardised
  purchase-to-pay processes across the group, with clear ownership, documented
  procedures and consistent adoption.
• Own accounts payable change initiatives from assessment and design through
  implementation, communication, training and post-implementation review.
• Identify opportunities to improve ERP workflows, automation, data quality and
  management information, translating them into practical delivery plans.
• Build stakeholder support, manage resistance and monitor adoption to ensure
  sustainable improvements in control, service and efficiency.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the UK and overseas accounts payable team, creating clear accountability, effective communication and consistent service standards across locations, cultures and time zones.
• Plan capacity, allocate workloads and establish effective hand-offs and escalation routes between UK stakeholders and the overseas team.
• Set clear objectives and KPIs, review performance, address capability gaps and provide training on systems, controls, procedures and best practice.
• Promote a collaborative, service-focused culture with appropriate resilience, succession planning and cross-training.

Supplier and Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective supplier relationships and resolve material payment, invoicing and account issues promptly.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance, Operations and other functions to improve the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, clarify ownership and resolve control or service issues.
• Negotiate supplier payment terms where appropriate and support working-capital objectives without compromising critical supply relationships.
• Communicate complex financial and operational information confidently to senior and non-financial audiences, using data to influence decisions and secure support for change.

Reporting and Performance

• Produce accurate, concise and insightful reporting for the FD, senior leadership and the Board, covering cash requirements, aged liabilities, supplier risk, control issues and improvement initiatives.
• Define and monitor meaningful KPIs, including invoice cycle time, first-time
  processing accuracy, on-time payment rate, overdue balances, exception backlog,
  duplicate payments and supplier query resolution.
• Explain material variances, identify root causes and recommend corrective action,
  tracking delivery through to completion.
• Prepare high-quality presentations that provide assurance on accounts payable
  performance, controls and change delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Essential

• Substantial experience leading a high-volume accounts payable function within a
• complex, multi-entity or international organisation.
• Demonstrable experience managing and developing UK and overseas or remotely
  located teams across cultures and time zones.
• Proven success designing and implementing accounts payable controls, standard
  operating procedures, approval matrices and process documentation.
• Strong knowledge of payment controls, supplier master-data governance,
  segregation of duties, fraud prevention and audit evidence requirements.
• Practical knowledge of UK VAT/UAE VAT requirements and experience supporting
  internal and external audits.
• Experience leading process transformation, change management and continuous
  improvement from design through sustainable adoption.
• Strong ERP, workflow and automation experience, with advanced Excel and data
  analysis capability.
• Strong understanding of month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, aged creditors,
  cash requirements and performance reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills, including
  presenting to senior leadership and influencing non-financial colleagues.
• Willingness and ability to travel to India when required to work directly with the
  accounts payable team.

Desirable

• AAT qualified or part-qualified/qualified ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Experience implementing or optimising an accounts payable automation, procure-to
  pay or ERP solution.
• Experience in a maritime, security, professional-services or other operationally
  complex international environment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Salary: location/experience dependent
• Annual Leave: 25 days per annum plus public holidays
• Working hours: 08:30am to 17:30pm Monday to Friday
• Location and working arrangement: UK Office Hereford Office-based with flexibility
• Job type: Full-time, permanent
• Benefits: Private Medical Card, Referral Bonus, Eye Care, Discount Card, Techscheme,
• Cyclescheme, Discounted Gym Membership, Wellness & Fitness, Employee Assistance Programme, Pension, Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay. And much more!

The Job Description for this post will be subject to routine review and revision in order to
meet the developmental requirements of the company. The post holder may be required to undertake additional appropriate duties as directed and required.

To view all current opportunities, please visit our Careers page.

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