At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier escalations and resolve complex accounts payable issues.
- Company: Join Safetykleen, a forward-thinking finance function focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, generous holiday, and private healthcare from day one.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career development and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping a growing AP function with ownership and influence.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in accounts payable and confidence in Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 43000 £ per year.
Location: Brentford, Hounslow, Greater London, United Kingdom
Earnings: £38,000.00 to £43,000.00
The Opportunity
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Accounts Payable professional to step into a senior role within a developing, forward-thinking finance function. As Senior Accounts Payable Supervisor, you'll play a key role in keeping day-to-day operations stable, resolving complex issues, supporting the wider AP team, and helping improve how the function works. This is not just about processing. It is about ownership, control, judgement and making sure the AP operation runs smoothly during busy periods, escalations and change. If you are confident dealing with complexity, enjoy solving problems properly, and want to help shape a stronger AP function, this role offers real scope to make an impact.
Why you'll love it
- Make an impact: help shape what great looks like in a growing AP function, with real influence on controls, service and process improvement.
- Broader scope: take ownership of escalations, reconciliations, debit balances and complex expenses issues, not just routine processing.
- Supportive culture: work with a collaborative team in a business that values ideas, ownership and practical improvement.
- Opportunity to grow: gain exposure to senior operational support, continuous improvement and wider finance development.
About Us
At Safetykleen, we provide essential parts cleaning, waste collection and environmental advisory services that help customers reduce their environmental footprint and boost operational performance. With operations in 15 countries and over 1 million services delivered each year, you'll be joining a stable, growing business with a fast‑paced, high‑impact and agile environment, where sustainability and long‑term customer partnerships are at the heart of what we do.
What you'll do
- Lead on supplier escalations, taking ownership of complex, sensitive or high‑risk issues through to resolution.
- Own supplier statement reconciliations, including aged items, unmatched invoices, payments on account and historical discrepancies.
- Investigate and resolve debit balances, identifying root causes and driving corrective action with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Act as a senior escalation point for employee expenses, handling more complex or sensitive cases consistently and fairly.
- Provide senior operational support to the AP team during periods of absence, peak workload or pressure, helping to maintain continuity of service.
- Support and unblock the AP team on difficult cases, offering guidance and hands‑on support where needed.
- Work across Microsoft Dynamics 365 and related systems to maintain control, accuracy and efficiency across the AP process.
- Spot recurring issues and process bottlenecks, then help implement smarter, more standardised ways of working.
- Act as a subject matter expert across accounts payable, reconciliations and expenses processes.
- Assist the AP Manager with reporting, controls and ad‑hoc tasks as required.
Benefits
- £38,000 - £43,000 annual salary
- Hybrid work model – 3 days in Brentford HQ and 2 days remote (optional)
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- 5% contributory pension scheme
- Family life assurance of 3 times salary
- Private healthcare scheme from day 1
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Corporate discount scheme focused on your wellbeing, including discounted Virgin Active Gym membership and Gymflex Tastecard membership discount
- Discount and cashback at many retailers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential helpline support
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme
- Employee recognition programme
- Employee referral scheme
- Access to a range of internal and external courses to help develop and progress your career.
What you'll bring
- Strong Accounts Payable experience in a high‑volume or complex environment.
- Proven experience handling supplier escalations, reconciliations, debit balances and complex AP issues.
- Confidence working in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and across AP systems and controls.
- Strong attention to detail, with a calm and methodical approach to problem‑solving.
- A process‑mindful mindset, with the ability to balance business‑as‑usual delivery with continuous improvement.
- Clear, confident communication skills, comfortable working with suppliers, employees, internal stakeholders and senior management.
- Strong Excel capability, including lookups, pivot tables and data analysis.
How success looks in 6 months
- Complex escalations are being resolved quickly, professionally and with minimal senior intervention.
- Supplier reconciliations are more controlled, with aged items and debit balances reduced and better understood.
- Employee expenses issues are handled consistently, fairly and with stronger ownership.
- The AP team feels supported, and service levels remain stable during busy periods, absence or change.
- At least one meaningful process improvement or control enhancement you have helped champion is in place.
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in London employer: Safetykleen UK
Contact Detail:
Safetykleen UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in accounts payable. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Think of examples where you've tackled complex issues in AP. We want to hear how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values. Check out our website for opportunities at Safetykleen and show us how you can contribute to a sustainable future!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind. Share a thought or two about the discussion to show your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Accounts Payable Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in handling supplier escalations and reconciliations, as well as your familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about accounts payable and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of how you've resolved complex issues in the past – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don't just list your skills; demonstrate them! Talk about times when you've tackled tricky problems or improved processes. We’re all about ownership and making an impact, so let us know how you’ve done that in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to upload your tailored CV and cover letter directly. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Safetykleen UK
✨Know Your Accounts Payable Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of accounts payable processes, especially in high-volume or complex environments. Be ready to discuss your experience with supplier escalations and reconciliations, as well as any specific challenges you've faced and how you resolved them.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to handle complex issues calmly and methodically. Think of situations where you identified root causes of problems and implemented effective solutions, especially in relation to debit balances and employee expenses.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Microsoft Dynamics 365
Since this role involves working with Microsoft Dynamics 365, it’s crucial to demonstrate your proficiency with the system. If you have experience using it, be prepared to discuss how you’ve leveraged it to maintain control and efficiency in the AP process.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing past experiences with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Show that you can convey complex information in a straightforward manner, which is essential for building relationships and resolving issues.