Accounts Payable Assistant

Purchase Ledger Clerk

Location: Harwich (Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days home) Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum Contract: 12-week Temporary Assignment

About the Role

A vacancy has arisen for a Purchase Ledger Clerk based in our Harwich office.

The Purchase Ledger department is responsible for maintaining supplier accounts and ensuring payments are made accurately and within agreed payment terms. The successful candidate will take ownership of all purchase ledger activities across two supplier portfolios, helping to ensure the smooth operation of the department.

This role forms part of a multi-skilled finance team and requires close collaboration with Purchasing Managers and other finance colleagues. The ideal candidate will have strong all-round purchase ledger experience, be proactive in identifying process improvements, and work effectively within a team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and post purchase invoices, staff expense claims, and other relevant documents using SAP and interfaced ERP systems.

• Ensure European VAT numbers quoted by suppliers on invoices are accurate.

• Resolve unmatched invoice issues.

• Respond to supplier enquiries via telephone and email.

• Open and maintain supplier accounts within SAP.

• Liaise with suppliers, maintain accurate vendor details, and resolve invoice and payment queries.

• Reconcile supplier statements.

• Assist with purchase ledger and financial reporting.

• Accurately calculate VAT for purchased items, including UK and European VAT registrations.

• Carry out additional administrative duties as required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Minimum of 2 years' purchase ledger experience .

• Strong numerical ability and communication skills.

• Good Excel skills.

• Experience of multi-currency transactions.

• Experience working with European VAT.

• SAP experience desirable but not essential.

• Ability to identify and implement process improvements.

• Strong team-working skills.