Purchase Ledger Manager

The Purchase Ledger Manager role in the manufacturing industry requires a detail-oriented professional to oversee accounts payable operations. Based south of Preston, this permanent position focuses on ensuring accuracy and efficiency in financial processes.

Client Details

Looking for your next challenge in a company that truly values its people and drives industry-leading innovation? This is your chance to join a well-established, market-leading business in the manufacturing sector that prides itself on quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Description

The Purchase Ledger Manager will be responsible for:

• Oversee the end-to-end purchase ledger process, ensuring timely and accurate processing of high-volume supplier invoices.
• Manage and optimise invoice auto-matching software (e.g. matching POs to GRNs/invoices), identifying and resolving exceptions promptly.
• Ensure suppliers are paid accurately and on time in accordance with company terms.
• Maintain supplier records, including bank details and contact information, ensuring GDPR and internal controls compliance.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Liaise with procurement and warehouse teams to resolve invoice and delivery mismatches.
• Monitor and manage aged creditors report, ensuring no overdue items remain unresolved.
• Process staff expenses and company credit cards, ensuring policy compliance.
• Lead, train and support the AP team to ensure best practice and efficiency across processes.

• Own the AP side of the month-end close process, including:

• Accruals and prepayments
• Invoice cut-offs and GRNI reconciliations
• Supplier reconciliations and reporting
• Collaborate with the Financial Controller to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Assist with audit preparation and provide supporting documentation as required.
• Contribute to cashflow forecasting by providing timely AP and supplier payment data.

Profile

A successful Purchase Ledger Manager should have:

• Proven experience managing a busy Purchase Ledger function, ideally within FMCG or manufacturing environments where volume, accuracy, and speed are critical.
• Strong understanding of procurement-to-pay processes, with hands-on experience using automated invoice matching software to streamline supplier invoice validation and payment.
• Ability to take ownership of month-end close activities, including GRNI reconciliations, accruals, and supplier statement reviews, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Experience working closely with cross-functional teams such as procurement, warehouse, and production to resolve invoice discrepancies related to goods received, returns, and quality issues.
• Familiarity with managing supplier relationships in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, including handling queries related to batch traceability, quality claims, and supply chain disruptions.
• Comfort with occasional Sales Ledger tasks, supporting invoicing and payment allocation during peak periods or absence.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, capable of identifying trends in invoice errors or delays and proactively driving system/process improvements.
• Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop a small finance team while promoting a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Proactive mindset with a passion for leveraging technology and automation to enhance finance processes and controls.
• Excellent communication skills to liaise effectively across multiple departments and suppliers, often managing sensitive or time-critical financial issues.

Job Offer

• Salary in the range of £31,500 to £35,000PA
• Permanent position offering job stability and career growth opportunities.
• Generous holiday leave to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Be part of a reputable manufacturing company.

If you are based in or near Preston and are ready to take the next step in your accounting and finance career, we encourage you to apply.