Accounts payable manager

An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated and results-driven Accounts Payable Manager to take ownership of a critical finance function within a dynamic and fast-moving business environment. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives on driving performance, maintaining strong financial controls, and ensuring operational excellence. We are looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong leadership capability, someone who can build an accountable team culture, strengthen supplier relationships, and continuously improve processes to support business growth. This role is based in Bryanston, Johannesburg North.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accounts Payable Leadership Lead, coach and develop the Accounts Payable team to consistently achieve operational and financial deadlines. Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, ownership and service excellence. Manage team performance, workload distribution and capability development. Identify and remove process bottlenecks that impact delivery. Build strong collaborative relationships across Finance, Procurement, Operations, Project teams and external suppliers.
• Payment Processing & Supplier Settlements Ensure all supplier reconciliations and payment runs are prepared, reviewed and submitted within agreed timelines. Verify that payment batches are fully supported, authorised and approved before processing. Manage supplier payment expectations through clear and proactive communication. Ensure invoices are settled within agreed payment terms. Drive initiatives to reduce backlogs and improve payment cycle efficiency.
• Reconciliations & Financial Controls Ensure supplier account reconciliations are completed monthly and to a high standard. Resolve reconciling items promptly and address root causes to prevent recurring issues. Review and approve reconciliation submissions, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Maintain robust controls to minimise duplicate, incorrect or unauthorised payments. Support a strong governance and compliance framework across the AP function.
• Supplier & Stakeholder Relationship Management Develop and maintain productive relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders. Ensure supplier queries and escalations are addressed professionally and within agreed service levels. Partner with operational teams to resolve invoice discrepancies, payment disputes and account-related issues. Provide clear and consistent communication across all stakeholder groups.
• Master Data & Compliance Management Safeguard the integrity and accuracy of supplier master data. Ensure supplier onboarding documentation is complete, compliant and correctly maintained. Monitor the validity of tax, B-BBEE and other statutory compliance documentation. Manage beneficiary creation, amendments and periodic reviews in line with internal controls.
• Creditors & Outstanding Items Management Monitor creditor balances and investigate aged or outstanding items. Manage unresolved supplier queries and ensure timely resolution. Review open purchase orders and drive closure where required. Investigate unmatched transactions and implement corrective actions.
• Treasury & Banking Administration Ensure daily bank reconciliations are performed accurately and timeously. Oversee weekly corporate credit card reconciliations. Investigate and resolve unreconciled banking items without delay. Support payment governance and banking control procedures.
• Process Improvement & Reporting Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, controls and service delivery. Develop meaningful reporting and performance metrics for the AP function. Drive automation and process optimisation initiatives. Implement corrective action plans and ensure successful execution through to completion.

Job Experience and Skills Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• 5 to 8 years' experience within Accounts Payable or Creditors.
• Minimum 3 years' experience leading or supervising an Accounts Payable team.
• Experience managing high-volume supplier accounts and payment cycles.
• Strong supplier reconciliation and creditor management experience.
• Proven experience within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Exposure to ERP systems, with Sage experience advantageous.

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