Head of Accounts Payable
Posted Today by Safety-kleen U.K. Limited
£60,000 Per year
Undetermined
Undetermined
Brentford, London
Summary: The Head of Accounts Payable will lead and optimize the accounts payable team at Safetykleen, focusing on enhancing efficiency and streamlining processes in a high-growth environment. This role requires a strategic leader with extensive experience in accounts payable operations, capable of fostering strong relationships with vendors and internal teams. The successful candidate will implement best practices and drive innovation while ensuring compliance and financial accuracy. A bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and significant managerial experience in AP are essential for this position.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage, train, and mentor the Accounts Payable team.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments while maintaining strong financial controls.
- Develop, implement, and refine accounts payable policies and procedures to enhance accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
- Manage vendor onboarding, maintain strong relationships, and resolve payment discrepancies or disputes.
- Collaborate closely with finance, accounting, and other departments for seamless financial reporting and month-end closing.
- Oversee the accounts payable aging report, reconcile transactions, and ensure compliance with tax regulations and company policies.
- Assist with audits, provide necessary documentation, and maintain compliance with internal controls.
- Continuously identify and execute enhancements to streamline AP operations and support business growth.
Key Skills:
- Deep expertise in accounts payable operations.
- Experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments; private equity experience is a plus.
- Passionate about process improvements and driving efficiency.
- Proven problem-solver with a track record of delivering positive change.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred).
- 5+ years of AP experience, including 2+ years in a managerial or supervisory role.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles and AP best practices.
- Proficient in ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
- Curiosity around AI.
- Excellent team management and communication skills.
Salary (Rate): £60,000 yearly
City: Brentford
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Other
Head of Accounts Payable – Lead, Optimise & Innovate!
Are you an experienced Accounts Payable specialist with a passion for efficiency and process optimisation? We’re looking for a proactive leader to manage and develop our AP team, streamline invoice and payment processes, strengthen relationships with internal teams and external vendors, and drive innovation in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Who We Are:
Safetykleen is a leading provider of Parts Cleaning, Waste Collection and Environmental Advisory services to businesses across Europe. Safetykleen employs over 2,000 people and serves over 50,000 businesses in 15 countries. We deliver over 1 million services per year through our unparalleled branch network. Our headquarters are based in London, and we are backed by Apax, a leading Private Equity firm.
We’re driven by big ambitions and a clear strategy - putting customers first while making the planet Safer and Kleener.
Who You Are:
A strategic and hands-on leader with deep expertise in accounts payable operations.
Experienced in fast-paced, high-growth environments - private equity experience is a plus!
Passionate about process improvements and driving efficiency.
A problem-solver with a proven track record of delivering positive change.
Hold a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred).
Have 5+ years of AP experience, including 2+ years in a managerial or supervisory role.
Strong understanding of accounting principles and AP best practices.
Proficient in ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and ideally a curiosity around AI.
A strong people leader with excellent team management and communication skills.
The Role
- Team Leadership - Manage, train, and mentor our Accounts Payable team.
- Oversee Accounts Payable Operations - Ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments while maintaining strong financial controls.
- Drive Efficiency & Best Practices - Develop, implement, and refine accounts payable policies and procedures to enhance accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
- Strengthen Vendor Relationships - Manage vendor onboarding, maintain strong relationships, and resolve payment discrepancies or disputes.
- Collaborate Cross-Functionally - Work closely with finance, accounting, and other departments to ensure seamless financial reporting and month-end closing.
- Monitor & Reconcile Transactions - Oversee the accounts payable aging report, reconcile transactions, and ensure compliance with tax regulations and company policies.
- Support Audits & Compliance - Assist with audits, provide necessary documentation, and maintain compliance with internal controls.
- Implement Process Improvements - Continuously identify and execute enhancements to streamline AP operations and support business growth.
Benefits:
- Salary £50,000 - £60,000 per annum.
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- 5% Contributory Pension scheme.
- Family Life assurance of 3 times life cover salary.
- Private healthcare scheme from day 1.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Corporate discount scheme focussed on your wellbeing, including discounted Virgin Active Gym membership – and Gymflex.
- Taste Card Membership discount.
- Discount and cashback at many retailers.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 confidential helpline support for employees
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme for employees with illness and/or conditions requiring treatment.
- Employee recognition program
- Employee referral scheme.
- We provide support and access to a range of internal and external courses to help and progress your career with us.
If you’re ready to make an impact and lead the way in Accounts Payable excellence, we’d love to hear from you!
#INDHP