Accounts Payable Senior

Tata Chemicals Europe (TCE) is the UK’s sole producer of sodium carbonate (soda ash) and sodium bicarbonate, as well as the market leading producer of white salt. Our heritage dates back to the 1870s and we have been an important contributor to the economyof Cheshire ever since.
We have exciting times ahead for us as we embark on major investment across all our manufacturing sites in Cheshire to grow the business and deliver reliable high quality products into increasingly diverse markets. The Finance team will be at the core of thisgrowth, being a key enabler on the journey.
We have a vacancy for a Purchase Ledger Clerk in our business and this opportunity presents a varied, challenging and full workload associated with a £200m turnover business which is part of an international quoted group. With two bank groups, four distinctBusiness Units and multiple UK legal entities to manage, the team is always busy. TCE has hundreds of active suppliers, so there is a constant focus on process efficiency, systems development, enhanced governance and reporting excellence.
Job purpose statement:
To maintain the group’s Purchase Ledger in order to ensure that all invoices are recorded on a timely basis, in line with the company’s internal procedures and to ensure that external obligations to suppliers are met.
As a key contributor to TCEs Procure to Pay process, you will need to have proven relevant technical skills, knowledge and experience to enable you to thrive in this complex and fast-moving business environment. You will need to have the ability to embracethe behaviours that resonate throughout our organisation.
Reporting to the Finance Manager, this is an important role and as a member of a small team you will need to deliver an exemplary service. Your commitment to high standards of accuracy and governance is of paramount importance, but we also want someone whowill be proactive in helping to address evolving business challenges.
You will be a person who enjoys working with people, whether this is collaborating with suppliers to resolve issues and improve transactional governance, or when making suggestions for improvements to systems, processes and engagement with colleagues. You’llneed to be a hands-on, committed person who is unafraid of being direct, but who can also adapt to new ideas and challenges from colleagues.
Your ability to resolve issues, good communication skills and enthusiasm for process excellence will ensure that you are a valued member of the team. TCE is both a successful business and great place to work and the appointment of the right person to this rolewill help to ensure that this continues.
Principal Accountabilities:

- Processing supplier invoices via the 3-way matching process and performing monthly statement reconciliations
- Managing and escalating supplier queries to the relevant stakeholders in order to resolve any issues and maintain supplier relations
- Leading the investigation of unallocated cash, debit balances and payment on accounts
- Managing and delegating work across the AP team
- Supervising a Finance Apprentice and developing their in depth AP knowledge
- Producing KPI and payment practise reports
- Supporting the Finance Manager to deliver ad hoc request, such as external audit data requests
- Proactively improving processes and driving efficiencies.
Required knowledge and experience
GCSE (Grade A-C) or equivalent in English and Maths. AAT desirable.
Previous Experience and Skills
5+ years AP experience
Experience Understanding of billing Purchase Orders
Excellent communication skills
Experience of working in a fast-paced environment
Proactive and can-do attitude
High attention to detail
Well organised, with the ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage competing demands
What can you expect in return?
Our people have always been at the centre of the company’s success and in return for their hard work and commitment, we offer a generous benefits package including: 37 days holidays per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, an additional paid day off each yearto volunteer for a good cause in the local community, an excellent contributory Pension scheme, Life insurance, Healthcare and a range of other optional benefit schemes.