Accounts Payable Operations Manager

Location: Leicester (Office-based)

Salary: Up to £59,000 per annum

I’m supporting a major UK retail group headquartered in Leicester — a well-known brand with a global customer base — in their search for an experienced Accounts Payable Operations Manager. This is a high-impact interim role leading a large AP function through a period of significant operational activity and change.

The business operates at serious scale, processing £1bn+ in supplier payments annually and serving over 8 million customers worldwide. They need a confident, hands-on leader who can stabilise performance, drive improvements, and guide the team through transformation.

The Role

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic direction and day-to-day leadership to a team of 20 AP professionals across the UK and India.
• Lead through a strong Team Leader layer — acting as “mini-managers” — who are essential to delivering performance, coaching their own teams, and maintaining operational control.
• Develop and empower Team Leaders to take ownership of workflow management, quality, and people development.
• Build capability across the function through coaching, structured development, and clear performance expectations.
• Create a stable, high-performing environment with strong accountability and consistent communication.
• Lead the team confidently through periods of change, including system implementations and restructuring.

Operational Delivery

• Oversee all AP operations including invoice processing, payment runs, reconciliations, and complex query resolution.
• Ensure strong delivery against KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards across multiple business units.
• Maintain robust financial controls and manage departmental resources effectively.
• Address operational challenges, reduce backlogs, and improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Handle escalations and complex supplier issues with sound judgement and professionalism.

Month-End, Year-End & Controls

• Lead month-end and year-end AP activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting.
• Maintain strong governance and ensure adherence to internal policies and financial regulations.
• Support audit requirements and ensure documentation and controls remain up to standard.

Process Improvement & Change

• Drive continuous improvement across AP processes, identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance efficiency.
• Support the implementation of automation tools, new systems, and process enhancements.
• Lead change management activity, including training, communication, and embedding new ways of working across the team and Team Leader layer.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Procurement, Finance, IT, and other business areas to ensure smooth end-to-end processes.
• Support the onboarding and management of high-profile brands and suppliers.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels to ensure alignment and effective communication.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong leadership experience within a large-scale, high-volume AP environment.
• A proven track record of developing Team Leaders and building a strong operational leadership layer.
• Experience driving process improvements and implementing automation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Analytical, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to challenge and improve existing processes.
• Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to lead teams through change.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the confidence to take ownership and deliver results.

Why This Role?

This is a chance to make a meaningful impact within a major retail organisation known for its scale, pace, and ambition. You’ll play a key role in shaping the AP function, improving performance, and supporting the business through a critical period of transformation — with a strong Team Leader layer to support delivery.