junior accounts assistant jobs

Why Join Meadow Foods?

This is a great opportunity to join a well-established manufacturing business and develop practical finance experience within a busy Accounts Payable function. You will work closely with finance and operational colleagues, gain exposure to supplier payments and reconciliations, and play an important role in supporting accurate and timely purchase ledger processing across Meadow Foods.

Role Details

Meadow Foods is one of the UK's leading suppliers of dairy ingredients, blended products and value-added solutions to the food manufacturing industry. As part of an international group, we are committed to delivering quality products, operational excellence and continuous improvement across our business.

We are looking for a Purchase Ledger Finance Assistant to support the day-to-day running of our Accounts Payable function. This is a junior finance role suited to someone with strong attention to detail, good organisational skills and an interest in building experience across supplier invoice processing, payment preparation, reconciliations and financial controls within a busy manufacturing environment.

Working hours

This a part time role to be worked 3 days a week with working days starting from 08:30am to 16:30.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and review supplier purchase invoices ensuring they are accurately matched, coded and posted on a timely basis
• Code and process haulage invoices in line with transport movements and agreed supporting documentation
• Code and manage demurrage purchase invoices, ensuring costs are recorded accurately and queries are escalated where required
• Maintain supplier accounts by reviewing statements, resolving invoice queries and completing regular supplier account reconciliations
• Support the maintenance of accurate purchase ledger records and help ensure all AP processes are completed in line with internal deadlines
• Prepare and validate BACS payment runs, including mid-month supplier payments, ensuring payment details are accurate before approval
• Support the arrangement and processing of farmer payments in line with agreed payment timetables
• Maintain strong cash control by checking payment values, supplier details and supporting documentation before payment files are submitted
• Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation to evidence purchase ledger transactions and payment approvals
• Respond to supplier and internal queries in a timely and professional manner, escalating complex issues where required
• Assist with finance system updates, supplier record maintenance and AP-related data quality checks

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience in a purchase ledger, accounts payable or finance administration role.
• Good understanding of supplier invoice processing, coding, matching and payment preparation.
• Confident working with supplier statements, reconciliations and invoice queries.
• Good Excel skills and experience using ERP or accounting systems.
• Clear communication skills and a professional approach when dealing with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience in a manufacturing, FMCG or food production environment.
• Exposure to purchase ledger processes, BACS payments and haulage invoices

A key requirement of this role is the ability to travel to our Chester site for the scheduled start times mentioned above.

This is not a full description for the role. A full job description can be provided upon request during the interview stage.

Please note applications are being reviewed while this role is advertised and may close earlier if a high number of applications are received.

Pay: £19,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person