General function
accountable for end-to-end accounts payable (ap) service delivery for north america, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant invoice processing and payments per company policies, gaap/ifrs, and internal controls. Leads ap through front-line supervisors who manage day-to-day teams, driving performance (kpis), continuous improvement, and automation across the p2p value chain. Partners with purchasing, receiving, treasury, gl accounting, and business units to enhance service, optimize cash flow, and safeguard assets.
major duties & responsibilities
* end-to-end ownership (ap): owns the full ap lifecycle: 3-way match, exceptions, approvals/workflows, vendor statements, payment runs, and post-payment controls. Ensures policy alignment and audit readiness at all times.
* lead via supervisors: sets objectives and cadence for ap supervisors; establishes clear slas, standard work, and escalation paths; coaches leaders to develop teams and bench strength.
* kpis & performance management: defines and monitors kpis (e.g., on-time payment %, touchless rate, 3-way match rate, invoice cycle time, backlog/aging, dpo, gr/ir aging, % past due, % duplicate prevented, debit balance). Runs weekly/monthly performance reviews and implements corrective actions.
* month-end close: ensures timely accruals for un-invoiced receipts, gr/ir reconciliation, and g/l reconciliations; validates completeness/accuracy and meets close calendar.
* vendor statement reconciliation: guarantees systematic supplier reconciliations, with aging root-cause remediation (po, price, quantity, tax, jurisdiction, master data).
* controls & compliance: maintains robust automated/manual controls, sod, and documentation (sops, leader standard work). Ensures adherence to gaap/ifrs and corporate policies; supports internal/external audits.
* continuous improvement (ci): leads a ci roadmap (lean/kaizen) to reduce touch time, backlogs, and exceptions; drives automation (ocr/idp, workflows, edi, vendor portals), and stabilizes peak loads at close.
* technology & data: product owner mindset across sap and oracle ap modules (and adjacent tools such as ocr/workflow, concur/expenses, banking/edi, bi). Partners with it for issue resolution, enhancements, and controls.
* business partnering: works with procurement and po expeditors on po quality and terms (payment terms, tax, ship-to/bill-to), with receiving on gr discipline, with treasury on cash timing, and with gl on reconciliations and statutory requirements.
* risk & issue management: proactively identifies risks (supplier holds, systemic defects, aging spikes) and leads cross-functional playbooks to prevent service disruption.
* people development: builds leadership pipeline; trains supervisors and teams on policy, systems, analytics, and problem-solving; fosters a culture of accountability and customer service.
basic qualifications
* 7–10+ years of progressive experience in ap / p2p and accounting operations; 3+ years leading through people leaders (supervisors/managers).
* solid knowledge of gaap/ifrs, accruals, gr/ir, 3-way match, vendor statements, and month-end close.
* demonstrated success managing kpis and turnarounds (e.g., touchless %, cycle time, backlog, dpo, gr/ir aging).
* hands-on expertise with sap (mm/fi-ap) and oracle ap; exposure to ocr/idp, workflow, concur/expenses, edi, and bank/payment platforms.
* automated & manual controls, segregation of duties (sod) management
* ability to work independently on complex projects and manage concurrent responsibilities
* integrations experience erp's and/or transitions experience
* experience implementing continuous improvement (lean/kaizen); analytical skills to build business cases and deliver measurable benefits.
* strong stakeholder management (procurement, receiving/operations, treasury, gl, business units, vendors) and excellent communication skills.
* demonstrates willingness and ability to be a self-starter, takes the initiative to solve problems/pursue business opportunities.
* effectively manages work of team by setting clear expectations, delegating tasks, and following up to ensure completion. Hands on when required
* dashboards reporting skills ( bi, tableu)
* bachelor's degree in accounting/finance required. Supervisory experience essential.
success measures
* improvement in on-time payment and touchless processing; sustained reduction in invoice cycle time and backlog.
* gr/ir and g/l reconciliations completed on time and with reduced open items.
* fewer escalations/vendor holds; improved supplier satisfaction.
* ci roadmap delivered (automation, sops, peak-load smoothing at close).
* engagement and development of ap supervisors and teams