Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

A leading organisation in Manchester City Centre is seeking a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join their Global Finance Services team. This 6-9 month contract role offers you the chance to become a trusted expert within the Procure To Payment (PTP) function, where your operational knowledge and analytical skills will be highly valued.

As a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist based in Manchester City Centre, you will immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of the Global Finance Services team. Your responsibilities will span from resolving complex invoice issues to supporting process transitions across multiple entities. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams—finance colleagues, procurement specialists, technology experts—to drive improvements in Procure To Payment operations. By analysing operational data and identifying root causes of recurring problems, you will recommend actionable solutions that enhance efficiency. Your role also involves supporting reconciliation activities during period-end reporting cycles and contributing to automation initiatives that reduce manual effort.

Key duties include:

• Act as a subject matter expert for Accounts Payable and Procure To Payment processes by supporting the resolution of complex invoice, supplier, payment, and workflow issues across multiple entities.
• Provide hands-on support for intricate PO and non-PO invoices including coding, approvals, payments, and exception scenarios to ensure smooth financial operations.
• Investigate recurring processing issues by conducting root cause analysis and determining appropriate resolutions or escalation paths to prevent future problems.
• Support AP teams with interpretation of processes, controls, procedures, and provide specialist guidance on finance systems as required.
• Collaborate closely with PTP Process Manager, AP colleagues, GFS RTR teams, business stakeholders, and technology teams to stabilise operations and implement new processes.
• Review complex exceptions in supplier master data, payment processing, bank-related issues, and identify opportunities to prevent recurrence through practical solutions.
• Analyse AP operational data to identify trends such as bottlenecks or recurring exceptions; monitor invoice backlogs, cycle times, exception volumes, processing performance and other KPIs.

To excel as a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in Manchester City Centre’s Finance Services team, you will bring proven experience from similar roles within shared service centres or large-scale organisations.

Ideally you will have experience in the following areas:

• Typically 4–7 years’ experience in Accounts Payable or Procure To Payment roles within shared service centres or complex global organisations is ideal.
• Comprehensive end-to-end knowledge of Accounts Payable processes including PO/non-PO invoice processing, coding approvals, supplier master data management and payments is required.
• Proven experience investigating complex operational issues using root cause analysis techniques to develop sustainable solutions is highly valued.
• Ability to use operational data and KPIs effectively to identify improvement opportunities within finance operations is essential.
• Experience supporting process transition projects such as system implementation or automation initiatives demonstrates adaptability.
• Technical proficiency with ERP systems (Oracle preferred), strong Excel skills; familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting tools would be advantageous.
• Understanding of AP automation workflows; experience with UAT testing or defect management during system/process changes is beneficial.
• Excellent communication skills enabling clear explanation of complex issues to both finance/non-finance stakeholders; collaborative approach across teams/functions/geographies is important.

This organisation stands out for its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual’s potential is nurtured. Employees are encouraged to grow professionally through ongoing training opportunities while benefiting from flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative global finance team while advancing your career in accounts payable excellence—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates