Group Office: Accounts Payable Manager

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Accounts Payable Manager to lead our Accounts Payable function and manage a team of six across our growing, multi-site business.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional who combines strong accounts payable knowledge with exceptional organisational, communication and people management skills. You will ensure the smooth operation of the purchase ledger function, maintain robust financial controls and drive continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will be confident managing competing priorities, meeting strict deadlines and building effective relationships with colleagues and suppliers across the business.

Rota: Full time, 40 hours, Monday to Friday 08:30-17:30

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of six Accounts Payable professionals.
• Oversee the end-to-end purchase ledger process, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and on time.
• Manage supplier relationships and ensure queries and account issues are resolved effectively.
• Plan and monitor workloads, priorities and deadlines across the team.
• Maintain strong accounts payable controls, policies and procedures.
• Ensure month-end requirements are completed accurately, including reconciliations, accruals and reporting.
• Support year-end audit requirements and provide information as required.
• Prepare accounts payable management information and key performance indicators.
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure compliance with company processes.
• Lead process improvements, system enhancements and automation initiatives.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for people:

• Previous experience as an Accounts Payable Manager or experienced Senior Accounts Payable Supervisor.
• Proven experience of managing, supporting and developing a finance team.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable processes, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and multitasking skills.
• Ability to remain accurate and composed while managing a high-volume workload and competing deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability and commitment to accuracy.
• Clear and professional communication skills, with the confidence to work across all levels of the business.
• Good Excel skills and confidence using finance and invoice-processing systems.
• A proactive, practical approach to continuous improvement.

Desirable experience

• AAT qualified, studying towards a recognised finance qualification, or qualified by experience.
• Experience of ERP, accounting or automated invoice-processing systems. D.J. Squire & Co., Ltd. | Accounts Payable Manager
• Experience of delivering process improvements and measurable efficiencies.

Squire’s is a family-owned group of 17 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it.

We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering, and retail.

We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Rewards & Benefits:
We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’. In turn we will provide an extensive benefit package, please see below.

• Employee Discount – 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
• Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Bonus – We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date)
• Pension – We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
• Attendance – After one years service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a 'Thank you'.
• Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
• Learning & Development – You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
• Birthday – After 6 months service if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
• Cycle2work scheme – After 1 years service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
• Child's first day at school – After 1 year's service come in late and go home early on your child's first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
• RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub – After 1 years service Squire's employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – After 2 years service employees are eligible to join an EAP, that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
• Retirement – After 15 years service if you are retiring and have over 15 years service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
• Free Parking – Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.