Accounts Payable Team Leader

Accounts Payable Lead

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (Hybrid)

Job Type: Contract - 2 year Contract

Day Rate: £250 - £300 per day (PAYE)

About the Opportunity

We are working with a well-established organisation to recruit an experienced Accounts Payable Lead to join their finance team on a contract basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Accounts Payable professional to take ownership of the end-to-end Accounts Payable function, leading a small team while driving process improvements and supporting the continued development of the purchase-to-pay process.

Working closely with senior finance leaders and key business stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring an efficient, well-controlled and high-performing Accounts Payable function, while maximising the use of AP automation technology and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

The Role

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function, managing and developing the AP team, and ensuring robust financial controls are maintained across the purchase-to-pay process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Accounts Payable team, ensuring high levels of accuracy, efficiency and service delivery.
• Oversee the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, ensuring invoices and supplier payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Drive the effective use of Medius AP automation software, identifying opportunities to maximise system capability and improve efficiency.
• Standardise Accounts Payable processes across the business, implementing best practice and consistent ways of working.
• Monitor supplier ledgers and reconciliation processes, ensuring outstanding items are investigated and resolved promptly.
• Review aged creditors and associated reporting, ensuring transparency and timely resolution of outstanding balances.
• Work closely with Treasury to coordinate payment runs, clearing accounts and banking processes.
• Partner with Tax to ensure VAT is recorded accurately and regulatory requirements are met.
• Support Procurement and Supply Chain teams in improving purchase-to-pay processes and financial controls.
• Develop and enhance KPIs and management reporting for the Accounts Payable function.
• Identify process weaknesses and implement continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen controls and improve efficiency.
• Support internal and external audit requirements, acting as a key contact for Accounts Payable-related queries.
• Resolve complex supplier and stakeholder queries in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls and regulatory requirements.
• Provide analytical support and assist with finance projects and ad hoc reporting as required.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Accounts Payable professional with proven leadership experience and a passion for driving process improvement.

You will be comfortable working across multiple stakeholders, improving financial controls and leading change within a fast-paced finance environment.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience leading an Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger function.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring Accounts Payable teams.
• Strong knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes and financial controls.
• Experience working with SAP ERP.
• Strong reconciliation, reporting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• High attention to detail with a proactive and continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong Excel and financial systems experience.

What's on Offer?

• £250 - £300 per day (PAYE).
• Hybrid working pattern.
• Opportunity to join a well-established organisation on a high-profile contract.
• A varied role with ownership of the Accounts Payable function.
• Exposure to senior finance leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Opportunity to lead process improvement and AP automation initiatives.
• Collaborative working environment with the chance to make a genuine impact.

If you are an experienced Accounts Payable Lead looking for your next contract opportunity where you can lead change, improve processes and add real value to a high-performing finance function, we would love to hear from you.

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