Accounts Payable Manager in Northampton

Own the ledger. Protect the cashflow. Set the standard. Build your future with Lords. In a complex, multi-site merchanting operation, the Purchase Ledger underpins financial control, supplier trust and cashflow accuracy. This leadership role gives you full ownership of the function — developing the team, delivering controlled and on‑time payments, and embedding a right-first-time culture across a high-volume, multi‑brand environment. Based at Carboclass in Northampton and supporting our merchanting division brands, you’ll play a central role in month‑end delivery, cashflow visibility and continuous process improvement.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching and developing an experienced AP team, including apprentices
• Taking full ownership of the ledger — keeping it accurate, clean and fully reconciled
• Delivering controlled, on‑time payment runs in line with Group policy
• Driving a strong financial control environment
• Supporting month‑end close, accruals and reporting
• Providing clear visibility of liabilities to support cashflow forecasting
• Acting as the key escalation point for supplier and internal queries
• Working closely with branches, procurement and finance to keep the operation moving
• Identifying and implementing process improvements, automation and system enhancements

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading a high‑volume Accounts Payable / Purchase Ledger function
• A strong people leader who builds engaged, high‑performing teams
• A deep understanding of payment processes, controls and governance
• Experience in a multi‑site environment
• Someone who brings pace, structure and continuous improvement
• A confident communicator who can build relationships across the business and lead through change

Why this role matters

This isn’t just about invoices and payment runs. You Will:

• Protect financial control and compliance
• Deliver audit‑ready, reliable processes
• Provide real cashflow insight to Finance
• Support a complex, people‑heavy operational business
• Have a key leadership role in a growing, acquisitive Group
• Get the opportunity to shape processes and drive improvement
• Be part of a collaborative, down‑to‑earth culture

When this function runs well, the whole business runs better.

Location: Moulton Park, Northampton

Hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Mon‑Fri, one day per week at home

Competitive Salary Offered

We’re investing in our systems, our people and the way we work. If you want to lead a function, make a visible impact and be part of a finance team that genuinely adds value — we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us set the standard.

Carboclass Limited is the operational finance centre for the Merchanting division of Lords Group Trading, supporting a fast‑paced, multi‑site building materials distribution business. Based in Northampton, it provides the transactional finance infrastructure that underpins scale, control and consistency across the division.

Lords Group is an equal opportunity employer that recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion. Our workplace is for everyone! The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward‑thinking. So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background and come and join the Lords family.