P2P Process Improvement

P2P Process Improvement Specialist Manchester | Hybrid £350–£400 per day 6-month contract High-Growth | PE-Backed | Shared Service Centre We are supporting a high-growth, PE-backed business through a significant finance transformation programme and are looking for a hands-on P2P Process Improvement Specialist to strengthen and optimise its Purchase-to-Pay operation. This is not a role for someone to simply review processes, produce a PowerPoint and make recommendations. We need someone who can get into the detail, work shoulder-to-shoulder with the AP team, identify what isn't working and actually implement the changes. Key Responsibilities:

• Review and improve the full end-to-end Purchase-to-Pay process, from requisition and PO creation through to invoice processing and payment.
• Analyse high-volume invoice processing and approval workflows, identifying delays, unnecessary touchpoints and opportunities to simplify.
• Improve PO compliance, matching processes and exception management across the business.
• Review and strengthen supplier onboarding, master data and supplier change controls.
• Optimise payment processes, payment runs, authorisation controls and overall governance.
• Get underneath existing backlogs, bottlenecks and exceptions, understand the root causes and implement practical solutions.
• Identify and remove unnecessary manual processes, duplication and workarounds.
• Drive greater use of automation, workflows and existing system functionality.
• Work directly with the AP and wider finance teams to implement new ways of working rather than simply recommending them.
• Create clear, standardised processes and controls that can operate effectively within a high-volume Shared Service Centre.
• Establish meaningful KPIs across invoice processing, approval times, exceptions, aged items, PO compliance and payment performance.
• Track improvements against agreed measures and demonstrate tangible operational impact.
• Embed changes within the team through documentation, training and hands-on support.
• Ensure improvements actually stick once implemented and don't revert back to historic ways of working. What We're Looking For:
• Strong background within Accounts Payable / Purchase-to-Pay, ideally within a high-volume Shared Service Centre.
• Proven experience improving P2P processes within a complex, fast-paced or high-growth environment.
• Someone who understands AP operationally and is comfortable getting into the detail.
• Experience identifying and implementing process automation and system improvements.
• Strong understanding of controls, governance, supplier management and payment processes.
• Comfortable working directly with transactional finance teams and senior stakeholders.
• Able to challenge existing processes and turn problems into practical solutions quickly.
• Most importantly, a doer someone who can diagnose the issue, fix it, implement the change and embed it.