Accounts Payable Team Lead – Permanent position located in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Responsibilities
The Team Leader will hold accountability for the management and development of the accounts payable team. The role holder will drive process improvement to increase efficiency and delivery for key stakeholders within the business, ensuring tasks are delivered on time, in full against the SLA, and that AP KPI’s and metrics are met.
Key duties include:
* Responsible for effective, timely and accurate invoice processing across the AP function; promote a right‑first‑time culture.
* Ensure timely and accurate processing and payment of staff expenses, ensuring claims consistently comply with the Group expenses policy.
* Promote good practice within the expenses process by liaising with claimants and approvers.
* Maximise benefits from technology such as ERP functionality and document management software.
* Develop an SLA‑driven performance culture within the AP team, monitor and improve performance.
* Recruit, develop and coach AP team members.
* Ensure best service to stakeholders by driving departmental KPIs such as payments on time and reducing invoice processing time.
* Document AP processes and controls; ensure controls are being executed.
* Act as the key point of contact for external and internal stakeholders, handling queries and issue escalation.
* Proactively manage adoption of process change within the stakeholder group.
* Ownership of AP processes and controls across ledgers, including supplier statement reconciliations, debit balances and segregation of duties.
* Work with divisional stakeholders to ensure a strong control environment across the whole P2P cycle.
* Review issues and error logs, conduct root cause analysis, and find solutions.
* Review team productivity and drive improvement.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicant should possess:
* Previous experience managing an AP function in a medium to large company, preferably shared services.
* Track record of AP process improvement, preferably with automation software.
* Excellent communication skills, proficient in dealing with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
* Good knowledge of MS Office applications such as Excel for analysis and communication.
* Flexibility to learn new IT systems and a positive approach to adopting new ways of working and utilising technology.
* Problem‑solving ability and a right‑first‑time approach to fixing issues.
* Results driven, capable of creating a performance culture within the AP team.
* Leadership ability within the company on AP service delivery, providing direction for team and operations.
* Strong organisational and administrative skills; supportive of diversity and inclusion.
Location & Working Conditions
* This role is based at our Barrow, Cumbria office on a hybrid basis (3 days a week); candidates must live within commutable distance.
* Permanent full‑time position.
Benefits
* Competitive benefits tailored to the division.
* Opportunities for career growth and visibility across the organisation.
* A supportive, inclusive culture that values ideas and contributions.
* Work that truly makes a difference in safety, innovation, and global capability.
About James Fisher and Sons
James Fisher and Sons is a global engineering services company with over 50 years of experience delivering complex offshore energy projects in some of the world’s most challenging environments. We operate across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport, leveraging cutting‑edge technology and deep expertise to support the full lifecycle of our customers’ assets.
Equal Opportunities
James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.
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