Accounts Payable Assistant (German speaking)- Harlow

With the acquisition of Eastman Adhesive Resins in 2022 and Omnova Solutions in 2020, Synthomer grew its global manufacturing network, expanded its product portfolio and boosted its geographical presence, allowing it to better serve over 6000 customers around the world. Synthomer has its operational headquarters in London, UK, and provides customer-focused services from regional centres in Harlow, UK; Marl, Germany; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It employs more than 5000 employees across over 40 sites and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The Team

The Financial Shared Centre based in Harlow UK, supports Synthomer entities across Europe with all aspects of financial data. The Accounts Payable team currently handles invoices for 9 European countries which will expand over the coming years. Our aim is to provide the efficient & accurate processing of supplier’s invoices within the agreed payment terms whilst ensuring accounting best practices are maintained.

Purpose Of Role

The Accounts Payable Assistant, Europe, is a member of the Accounts Payable Team, which is a component of the European Shared Services Center. The role involves processing supplier invoices for goods and services received, resolving supplier queries, and managing invoice processing workflows to ensure invoices are approved and posted within terms.

The European SSC team is responsible for finance transaction processing – including AP, VAT, Treasury, Collections and Management accounting – for multiple European entities and thus AP processing is in multiple currencies, under various VAT regimes according to the relevant geography.

Main Accountabilities

• Validate and process large volumes of invoices for multiple European entities.
• Manage Accounts Payable mailboxes and resolve supplier queries.
• Liaise with other European Synthomer sites as needed and requested to obtain data/approvals for processing.
• Answer and resolve e-mail/telephone queries from internal and external parties.
• Collaborate with Synthomer colleagues from multiple departments to ensure timely resolution of vendor/supplier issues.
• Comply with Company and departmental policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Shared Service Centre

Essential Requirements

• Language skills in German
• Knowledge of financial ERP systems (SAP would be an advantage)
• Experience with multi-currency invoice processing
• Good working knowledge MS Office applications such as Excel.
• Process Excellence – Delivers and/or supports to deliver high quality output & keen to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Ability to process data and information accurately and according to expected turnaround times.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving environment, managing multiple deliverables.
• Ability to help develop and support a culture that fosters process improvement, high performance teams, employee development, and excellence in customer service.

Location and Travel requirements:

Position based out of the European Shared Service Center in Harlow, Essex, United Kingdom, which operates under a hybrid working model (with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office).

Benefits

In addition, we offer a highly desirable benefits package:

• Private health insurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Contributory pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance
• Support counselling
• Company social events throughout the year
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking

Why Synthomer?

We are ambitious!

We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.

We believe in high challenge, high support!

We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.

We personalize our approach to development!

At Synthomer, you won’t find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We’ll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.