Accounts Payable Manager

The Accounts Payable (AP) Manager is responsible for leading the global AP function within the Shared Service Centre (SSC), ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing of supplier invoices, payment runs, supplier reconciliations, and query resolution.

This role drives operational excellence, standardisation, and continuous improvement across global procure-to-pay processes while developing a high-performing, service-focused team. The AP Manager acts as a primary liaison between the SSC, regional Finance Partners, Procurement, Treasury, and key stakeholders across the business. This role requires 5 days per week in our Cardiff, Wales office.

To all recruitment agencies: Control Risks does not accept speculative agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Control Risks employees or any other company location. Control Risks is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Control Risks will only accept CV's from the partners with relevant agreement via the People and Talent team only.

Requirements

What You'll Do:

Operational Leadership

• Oversee end-to-end AP processes (invoice receipt, validation, coding, approvals, posting, payment runs, supplier statement reconciliations, and query management).
• Ensure global process standardisation, accuracy, and consistency across markets, including clear hand-offs with Procurement and the business.
• Own AP KPIs and SLAs; monitor performance, manage backlogs, and implement corrective actions where service is at risk.
• Ensure timely month-end close activities related to AP (accrual inputs, GRNI/received-not-invoiced follow-up, AP reconciliations, and variance commentary as required).
• Maintain strong financial controls and compliance with accounting standards, audit requirements, and internal policies, including approval frameworks and payment governance.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop AP Team Leaders and AP Account Leads/Specialists across regions (where applicable).
• Create a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement, with clear expectations and visible performance management.
• Ensure onboarding, training, and ongoing capability development across systems, policies, and ways of working.
• Drive career growth through skills matrices, coaching, regular 1:1s, and structured performance and development conversations.
• Promote a psychologically safe environment and model professional behaviours and SSC “non-negotiables”.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the AP point of contact for senior service line stakeholders, Procurement, Treasury, and Finance leadership.
• Build strong relationships to improve collaboration and strengthen the SSC’s reputation as a trusted partner.
• Provide transparent updates to stakeholders using RAG reporting and monthly performance packs, including risks, constraints, and actions.
• Handle escalations (e.g., critical suppliers, urgent payments, complex discrepancies) and ensure timely resolution with clear ownership.
• Align decision-making paths and escalation routes across SSC, markets, and functional partners.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and optimise AP processes across all locations (e.g., invoice capture, workflow approvals, exception handling).
• Lead root-cause analyses to reduce recurring issues (e.g., PO mismatches, incorrect coding, duplicate invoices) and improve supplier experience.
• Oversee SOP creation, updates, and adherence, ensuring documentation supports training and audit readiness.
• Champion digital tools, automation, and AI adoption where appropriate (e.g., OCR, workflow analytics, Power BI reporting).
• Partner with Procurement to strengthen end-to-end P2P governance (PO compliance, receipting discipline, vendor master data quality).

Risk, Controls & Compliance

• Own AP risk and control frameworks across global operations (e.g., segregation of duties, approval limits, payment controls).
• Ensure audit readiness and timely actioning of audit findings, with clear tracking and evidence.
• Implement and enforce supplier onboarding and master data controls, including change controls for bank details.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., VAT), internal policies, and documentation standards.
• Ensure data accuracy, GDPR compliance, and strong record retention and traceability across all AP activities.

Who You Are:

• Strong understanding of global AP and procure-to-pay processes and controls.
• Experience in SSC or matrixed/global environments.
• Knowledge of ERP systems and AP workflow tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Workday).
• Working knowledge of VAT and invoice compliance requirements (as applicable).
• Supplier master data governance and payment control understanding.
• Data analysis and reporting (Power BI, Excel, etc.)

Leadership Competencies

• Clear, consistent communication and the ability to translate complexity into actions.
• Ability to balance empowerment with discipline and control.
• Strong stakeholder management, including challenging constructively when standards are not met.
• Ability to lead teams through change, transition, and continuous improvement.
• Coaching, feedback, and performance development skills.
• Calm and structured escalation handling, with strong prioritisation under pressure.

Behavioural Competencies (SSC “Non-Negotiables”)

• Professional conduct and meeting discipline.
• Accountability and ownership.
• Transparency and solution orientation.
• Collaboration across teams and markets.
• Growth mindset and appetite for improvement.

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer.
• We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status”

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.