Job purpose:
The Accounting Manager - Accounts Payable is responsible for leading and developing the Accounts Payable function across a diverse Travel Retail business operating Retail and Food & Beverage locations throughout the UK and Ireland.
This role will ensure the accurate, efficient, and timely processing of supplier payments while maintaining strong financial controls, compliance, and vendor relationships.
A key focus of the position, particularly during its initial phase, is to review, challenge, and enhance current Accounts Payable processes, identifying opportunities for standardisation, automation, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with technical accounting expertise and a continuous improvement mindset to create a best-in-class accounts payable function capable of supporting a growing and fast-paced business.
Benefits: Simplyhealth cash plan, Retail Trust, life insurance, and up to 25% in-store discounts
Key Responsibilities:
Accounts Payable Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function across UK and Ireland entities.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices, employee expenses, payment runs, and vendor account reconciliations.
- Maintain robust controls to ensure compliance with company policies, financial regulations, VAT requirements, and audit standards.
- Monitor accounts payable performance against agreed service levels and KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
- Manage supplier escalations and resolve complex queries professionally and effectively.
People Management & Team Development
- Lead, coach, motivate, and develop a team of Accounts Assistants and Senior Accounts Assistants.
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations aligned to business priorities.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, development discussions, and succession planning activities.
- Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and customer-focused team culture.
- Ensure adequate resource planning and workload allocation across the team.
Process Improvement & Transformation
- Conduct a comprehensive review of current accounts payable processes, systems, controls, and ways of working.
- Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, manual workarounds, and opportunities for automation.
- Design and implement process improvements that enhance accuracy, productivity, compliance, and supplier experience.
- Partner with the Operations teams to streamline end-to-end purchase-to-pay processes.
- Drive standardisation of accounts payable processes across retail and F&B operations.
- Support implementation of new systems, workflows, and digital solutions where appropriate.
- Establish meaningful management information and reporting to support decision-making and performance management.
Financial Control & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, delegation of authority, and financial governance frameworks.
- Oversee supplier statement reconciliations and resolution of aged balances.
- Support month-end activities including accruals, accounts payable close processes, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Partner with internal and external auditors and ensure all accounts payable-related audit requirements are met.
- Continuously assess risks within the accounts payable process and implement mitigation plans.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with operational leaders across Retail and F&B business units.
- Act as the primary finance contact for accounts payable related matters.
- Collaborate closely with procurement to improve supplier onboarding, payment terms, and vendor management practices.
- Maintain positive relationships with key suppliers and external partners.
- Influence stakeholders to adopt best practices and support process changes.
Key Performance Indicators
- Invoice processing accuracy and timeliness.
- Supplier payment performance.
- Reduction in overdue supplier balances.
- Accounts payable process efficiency and productivity metrics.
- Team engagement and performance.
- Audit findings and control compliance.
- Delivery of continuous improvement initiatives and measurable cost savings.
- Stakeholder and supplier satisfaction levels.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential
- Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or qualified by significant experience.
- Strong SAP experience.
- Proven experience managing an Accounts Payable function within a multi-site, high-volume environment.
- Strong people leadership experience, including managing, coaching, and developing finance teams.
- Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence initiatives.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance, VAT, and accounting principles.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive change across multiple business functions.
- Advanced Excel and financial systems capability.
Desirable
- Experience within Travel Retail, Retail, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, or other high-volume consumer-facing businesses.
- Experience supporting UK and Irish operations.
- Project management or continuous improvement experience.
Our company:
One of the two divisions of the Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail is a pioneering global leader in the travel retail industry and the only operator to have established a comprehensive and world-recognised leadership across multiple business activities.
Cumulating more than 170 years of experience in travel retail since the opening of the first bookstore in 1852 at Paris Gare de Lyon, we deliver new experiences for travelers every day.
Operating over 5,000 stores across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries worldwide, we generated €5.2bn sales in 2022.
At Lagardère Travel Retail we believe an inclusive and diverse culture can help businesses and people thrive. We are committed to create a work environment where our people can fulfil their potential and be themselves and to support each and every one of them in achieving their ambitions. We welcome and consider all applicants regardless of their background and can ensure all candidates will receive a fair and equal treatment.
