Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the accounts payable process and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Whitbread, the UK's largest hospitality business with over 1,200 hotels and restaurants.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 60% off Premier Inn stays and a performance bonus of up to 10%.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative finance team driving exciting changes in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Fluent in German, with experience in process optimisation and change management.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days in the office, perfect for balancing work and life.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Whitbread Court, Porz Ave, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 5XE, UK
We’re Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality business with over 1,200 hotels and restaurants across the UK. Accounts payable is a critical element of the finance shared services team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, making payments to suppliers, handling supplier queries, and reconciling supplier statements. The Accounts Payable Lead has responsibility for leading the end-to-end accounts payable process and all aspects of payments processing for multi-market operations.
Location: Dunstable, hybrid - a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
Job Type: Permanent
Why you’ll love it here:
- Bonus: Enjoy an annual Whitbread performance incentive worth up to 10% of base salary
- Discounts: Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays and 25% discount on our Restaurant brands
What you’ll do:
- Supervise and mentor the offshore accounts payable and payments team, providing guidance on daily tasks and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Manage the end-to-end accounts payable process.
- Resolve price difference queries with buyers/procurement as necessary.
- Completion of supplier statement and balance sheet reconciliations.
What we need:
- German language proficiency: strong verbal and written German skills to communicate with stakeholders, manage supplier inquiries, and ensure compliance with local regulations.
- Process design & optimisation: process mapping, workflow improvement, and implementing changes to enhance accounts payable efficiency and accuracy.
- Experience in change management: proven ability to drive transformation, implement automation, and manage process changes while securing stakeholder buy-in.
Be part of our Finance team at Whitbread: Times are changing and our ambition is bigger than ever. This means huge things when it comes to budget and forecasting, and that’s where our Finance team really springs into action. Finding the right answers to drive us forwards. With new concepts launching, new spaces secured and reams of plans in motion, there’s no more exciting time to join than right now. Get to experience career growth that moves as fast as we do and be part of framing where we are heading.
Accounts Payable Lead employer: Whitbread
Contact Detail:
Whitbread Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Payable Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific accounts payable processes used in the hospitality industry. Understanding how invoice processing and supplier management works in this sector will give you a significant edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your German language skills, especially in a business context. Since strong verbal and written communication in German is essential for this role, consider practicing common phrases and scenarios you might encounter when dealing with suppliers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience in process design and optimisation. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've improved efficiency in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to enhance the accounts payable process at Whitbread.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight any experience you have with change management and automation. Discussing successful transformations you've led or been part of will illustrate your ability to drive improvements and secure stakeholder buy-in, which is crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Payable Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in accounts payable and finance. Emphasise your leadership skills, particularly in managing teams and processes, as this role requires supervision and mentoring.
Showcase Language Skills: Since German language proficiency is essential, include any relevant certifications or experiences that demonstrate your strong verbal and written German skills. Mention specific instances where you've used these skills in a professional setting.
Detail Process Improvement Experience: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully implemented process design and optimisation in previous roles. Highlight any specific projects where you drove transformation or automation in accounts payable.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss why you want to work at Whitbread and how your background aligns with their goals, especially in terms of driving efficiency and managing change.
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Accounts Payable Lead, you'll be supervising a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully mentored others in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Knowledge
The role requires process design and optimisation skills. Come equipped with specific examples of how you've improved workflows or implemented changes that enhanced efficiency in accounts payable processes.
✨Highlight Your Language Proficiency
Since strong German language skills are essential, be ready to demonstrate your proficiency. You might even want to prepare a few key phrases or responses in German to showcase your ability during the interview.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Expect questions about your experience with change management. Think of instances where you've driven transformation or managed process changes, and be ready to explain how you secured stakeholder buy-in.
