Accounts Payable Manager Finance in Newtownabbey

At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024. We are a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live.

Henderson Wholesale is a leading Wholesaler in Northern Ireland and supplies goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO. We source from local farmers, growers and producers and are proud to contribute to our local economy and environment. We achieved Gold accreditation against the Investors in People standard framework in 2023 in recognition of people management excellence and our commitment to investment in people.

The Purpose of the role: The ideal candidate for this role will manage the full Accounts Payable function, ensuring timely, accurate processing of invoices and payments while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Working as Accounts Payable Manager you will:

• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable and Central Billing teams.
• Oversee AP operations, including invoice processing, payment runs, reconciliations, and query resolution.
• Maintain accurate supplier records and manage key supplier relationships.
• Administer financial systems (DIDOS, Lightyear, Agresso, Orders) and manage EDI processes, onboarding suppliers and resolving issues.
• Review automated (RPA) invoice processing and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Monitor daily system reports, ensuring accurate processing and addressing errors quickly.
• Support internal/external audits and ensure compliance with accounting policies, controls, and regulations.
• Act as first-line Cyber Security control for supplier and customer setup.
• Contribute to business transformation and process improvement initiatives.
• Support month-end and year-end activities and provide general assistance to the finance team.
• Participate in Disaster Recovery protocols when required.

Skills for Success: Joining us as Accounts Payable Manager the minimum criteria you'll need is:

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in an Accounts Payable role.
• Previous experience in managing and leading a team of people.
• In-depth knowledge of Accounts Payable procedures and financial record management.
• Proficient in Computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Teams etc).

The Attributes you'll need include:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to plan and complete work within deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong team orientation with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong organisational skills.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving.

It is Desirable if you have:

• Qualification in Accounting or related field.
• Qualification in Bookkeeping.
• Experience in FMCG or other fast-paced industries preferred.
• Strong ability to work independently.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Proficient in accounting and financial software.

Are we right for you? As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:

• Ambition: We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
• Customer First: We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
• Teamwork: We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
• Integrity: We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward: The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Reward Gateway Employee Recognition & Discount Scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Sunday 7th December 2025. We are an equal opportunities employer.