Finance Team Leader- Accounts Payable in Gloucester

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated 31.3 billion in revenue in 2025.

We're looking for an experienced and proactive Accounts Payable professional to join our team and play a key role in delivering a high-quality AP service across the business. You'll combine strong financial and analytical skills with people leadership, supporting and developing the team while driving accuracy, efficiency and continuous improvement. This is a great opportunity to make a real impact, build strong relationships across the business and help shape the future of our Accounts Payable function.

The responsibilities associated with these roles are:

• Provide the information needed for operational accounting purposes.
• People Management responsibility for Accounts Assistants, supporting, developing and coaching team members.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of invoices/credits received.
• Ensure that non-purchase order invoices obtain the necessary level of authorisation.
• Build excellent relationships with Suppliers and internal departments to resolve any queries on a timely basis.
• Reconciling supplier's statements to AP Ledger and GRNI (goods received not invoiced), ensuring all discrepancies are resolved.
• Weekly Payment runs for all currencies are accurate and on time.
• Exhibit positive role model behaviour, promoting a professional, open culture, fostering teamwork, flexibility, and enabling continuous development of the team.
• Ensure service levels are always a high standard and customer satisfaction is priority.
• Identification of process improvement opportunities and creation of action plans.
• Support the integration of new technologies.
• Face of Accounts Payable service for the Business Unit, including monthly & quarterly review meetings with Financial Controllers/Directors.
• Support with all Accounts Payable recruitment, as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with Group accounting procedures.
• Ensure month end tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure the team comply with all legal, audit and internal control requirements.

Additional Description:

• Attend meetings at other locations as required.
• Adhere to all Accounting standards relating to accounts payable.
• Follow strict procedures when dealing with master data and bank details updates to protect the company against fraud.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.
• Undertake any training and development activities at the request of your line manager.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at all times.

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:

• Early finish on a Friday.
• 25 days of holiday, plus UK Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell days.
• Annual bonus and share scheme options.
• Pension scheme, with up to 8% matched contributions, and life assurance at 4x your salary.
• Onsite parking, including EV chargers, a subsidised restaurant, bicycle storage, and shower facilities.
• A wide range of flexible benefits and working options (role dependant), enhanced maternity and family friendly benefits.

Candidate skills & requirements:

• Demonstrate experience of working within similar Accounts Payable roles.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Previous experience of working with ERP systems.
• Proficient administration, numerical, planning and organisational skills.
• A comprehensive understanding of the 'purchase to pay' process.
• Knowledge of general accounting procedures.
• Proficient and accurate in data entry and management.
• Significant accounts payable or general accounting experience.
• Analytical skills covering written, graphic, numerical & statistical information.

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working with SAP.
• Previous experience of working within a managerial role.
• Previous experience within a dynamic, responsive, fast-paced team.
• Experience of working within a Shared Service Centre environment.
• Implemented new technologies.
• Previous project work experience.
• Change Management.
• Strong coaching and people management skills.
• AAT Accounting Qualification.

Job location: Gloucester, South West, England, UK.