Supplier Set up and Compliance Team Leader

Job Description

Salary range: Grade 9 £42,060 - £43,680 p.a. plus fantastic benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Croydon

Are you an experienced finance professional with an exceptional eye for detail and a passion for strong financial controls? Croydon Council is seeking a Supplier Set Up and Compliance Team Leader to join our Payments, Revenues, Benefits and Debt division.

About the Role

As the Supplier Set Up and Compliance Team Leader, you’ll lead the centralised supplier management function, ensuring the accuracy, integrity and compliance of all supplier records on Oracle.

You will be responsible for a team of two Supplier Set Up and Compliance Officers, and you will act as the Council’s subject matter expert for supplier onboarding and compliance and play a pivotal role in protecting the Council from financial and reputational risk.

In this role, you will:

• Oversee and participate in the set‑up and amendment of supplier accounts, ensuring full KYC checks, confirmation‑of‑payee validation, and compliance with all internal and external regulations.
• Manage and promote the I‑Supplier Portal, supporting suppliers in self‑registration, data maintenance and electronic invoice submission.
• Use AP forensic tools to identify and resolve potential duplicate invoices, payments, OTPs and supplier accounts.
• Maintain a high‑quality, accurate and up‑to‑date supplier database, leading on rationalisation and archiving of inactive suppliers.
• Provide expert advice to council departments and external suppliers.
• Lead Oracle quarterly patch testing related to supplier functions.
• Ensure robust quality control, audit compliance and accurate documentation to maintain a strong audit trail.
• Manage, develop and support two Supplier Set Up & Compliance Officers, ensuring performance targets and service standards are consistently achieved.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone with:

• Advanced knowledge of supplier management, financial controls, due diligence, and KYC requirements.
• Significant experience managing supplier data and compliance in a large organisation.
• Strong knowledge of procure‑to‑pay processes, invoice standards, and the Accounts Payable function.
• Advanced system skills, particularly with Oracle or similar financial management systems.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to support both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• A proactive, analytical approach with outstanding attention to detail and the ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Experience supervising staff and promoting a culture of accuracy, compliance and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

Croydon Council is committed to diversity, sustainability, and continuous improvement. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and integrity, with opportunities to contribute to service development and process enhancements.

Additional Information

• Occasional work outside normal hours may be required.
• This role may be subject to appropriate pre‑employment and compliance checks.
• This role is not politically restricted.

To view the Supplier Set Up and Compliance Team Leader role profile please click here.

About us

Croydon Council’s priorities

The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key business plan outcomes:

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council’s new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.