Accounts Payable Team Leader

Northampton Business Directory; Desborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing financial services company in Desborough is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to oversee their AP function. The ideal candidate will lead a high-performing team, improve processes, and ensure compliance. Responsibilities include managing the AP operations, monitoring KPIs, and fostering relationships with stakeholders. A strong background in Accounts Payable and leadership is essential for making a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ Accounts Payable experience required.
• At least 2 years’ experience leading or supervising an AP team essential.
• Strong understanding of AP processes and financial control.
• Experience with process documentation and improvements needed.
• Exposure to multiple ledgers is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team effectively.
• Oversee end-to-end AP processes and ensure accuracy.
• Manage supplier accounts and handle query resolutions.
• Implement and monitor KPIs to drive performance.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and ensure excellent service.

Skills

Strong people leadership

Excellent Excel skills

Strong communication skills

Proactive and resilient

Confident with KPIs

Tools

SAP

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to take ownership of our AP function, lead a high-performing team, and continuously improve processes and controls to support a growing business.

This is a hands‑on management role where you’ll balance day‑to‑day operational excellence with driving efficiencies, strengthening controls, and delivering an outstanding service to internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Accounts Payable team, creating a positive, safe and high‑performing working environment
• Set clear priorities and manage workloads in line with SLAs
• Implement, monitor and review KPIs to drive performance and reduce risk
• Promote a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture, leading by example

Accounts Payable Operations

• Oversee end‑to‑end AP processes, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and on time
• Manage supplier accounts, statement reconciliations and query resolution
• Oversee employee credit card processing, maximising VAT recovery
• Maintain AP ledgers, minimising debit balances, blocked invoices and reconciling to the general ledger
• Manage payment runs and prepare weekly cash payment forecasts
• Own creditor and GRNI balance sheet reconciliations
• Act as the main point of contact for external auditors for the AP function
• Maintain and improve SOPs and documentation

Continuous Improvement & Controls

• Identify, implement and embed process improvements
• Ensure robust controls and compliance across all AP activities
• Establish clear, meaningful KPI reporting and root cause analysis

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with Procurement and wider stakeholders
• Ensure excellent customer service and delivery against agreed SLAs

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ Accounts Payable experience
• At least 2 years’ experience leading or supervising an AP team
• Strong understanding of AP processes and their impact on financial control
• Experience documenting and improving processes in a growing business
• Exposure to multiple ledgers desirable

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong people leadership and communication skills
• Confident working with KPIs, deadlines and change
• Excellent Excel skills and ERP experience (SAP preferred)
• Highly organised, proactive and resilient

Behaviours

• Professional, dependable and solution‑focused
• Comfortable working under pressure and making decisions
• Adaptable, collaborative and committed to continuous improvement

Our Values

• Ownership – We take responsibility and are not afraid to try new things
• Trust – We are open, transparent and respectful
• Care – We support each other and do the right thing
• Beyond – We go above and beyond, taking pride in our work

Interested?

If you’re a driven Accounts Payable leader looking to make a real impact within a growing business, we’d love to hear from you.