Accounts & Operations Coordinator in Newport

WildBounds is a Bristol-based DTC retailer specialising in outdoor and lifestyle gear and apparel – a carefully curated edit of the best products for people who live adventurously. Housed & Harnessed is our sister business – a UK distribution company representing a portfolio of outdoor and lifestyle brands including Matador, Nomadix, Sunski, Crazy Creek and others. This role sits across both businesses.

At its core this is a hands-on accounts role covering both businesses, and it's yours to run. Most of the work sits with WildBounds – supplier invoices, payments, payroll, pension and Xero. It's a practical, day-to-day role rather than a strategic one: we're not looking for a finance director, we're looking for someone dependable to take responsibility and ownership of accounts. Alongside accounts, you'll work with our forwarders in managing inbound freight for the Housed & Harnessed portfolio of about a dozen suppliers. You'll also handle the practical running of the office. There is no finance team above or below you – you'll work directly with the Managing Director and our external accountant. That means real independence, and the scope to set up how things are done. This is a great opportunity for someone who is organised, commercially curious, and takes pride in doing things properly. This is a full-time position, based at our Bristol office and reports directly to the Managing Director. Premises address is 13 Liberty Industrial Park, South Liberty Lane, Bristol, BS3 2SU.

Key Responsibilities

• Log supplier invoices and check them against what we received – keeping our records reconciled against supplier statements so nothing gets missed or paid twice
• Raise invoice issues with suppliers, and see those queries through to resolution
• Pay invoices on time across our three facilities – choosing the right one for each (payments above a threshold are released by a director)
• Process monthly salaries and freelancer payments
• Manage our NEST pension scheme, including submitting and paying the monthly contribution schedules
• Explain and code transactions in Xero
• For Housed & Harnessed, arrange inbound shipments with our freight forwarders, including requesting quotes, providing instructions and documentation, and tracking progress through to delivery
• Open, sort and action incoming post, and handle the general administrative bits that keep a small business running

Requirements

Essential

• Solid experience managing supplier invoices and payments end to end in a small business or SME
• Confident with Xero, and genuinely good with spreadsheets
• Detail-oriented – you notice when a number is wrong and you care enough to chase it
• Comfortable querying invoices with suppliers and holding a position politely but firmly
• Able to manage and prioritise their workload without close supervision
• Strong written communication skills – you'll be dealing with suppliers and forwarders daily
• Supremely organised with a meticulous attention to detail, particularly when managing data, documents, and follow-ups
• A creative problem solver – resourceful and pragmatic when faced with challenges
• Meets the highest standards of integrity and professionalism

Desirable

• AAT Level 3 or above, qualified or studying (we'll support study for the right person)
• Payroll experience, and familiarity with NEST or another workplace pension scheme
• Experience with imports, freight forwarders, customs documentation or commercial invoices
• Experience working across more than one legal entity
• Exposure to a product or e-commerce business, and an understanding of stock
• A genuine interest in the outdoors and an outdoor lifestyle

What we’re offering

• Competitive salary of £30,000 - £34,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working arrangement – 3 days/week in our Bristol office (from 2nd month of employment)
• Performance-related bonus
• Annual performance and pay review
• Pension scheme including 3% employer contribution
• 25 days paid holiday (plus the 8 UK bank holidays)
• 40% staff discount
• The chance to work with some of the most exciting names in outdoor and lifestyle gear
• A collaborative, close-knit team based in Bristol
• Real opportunity to grow and develop with the business as we scale
• Cycle to work scheme
• Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Sick Pay