Lead and oversee daily AP operations to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant processing of supplier invoices, credit notes, and payments across multiple entities or regions. Act as the process subject matter expert (SME) for both PO and non-PO invoice processing, payment cycles, tax treatment, and exception handling. Manage escalations from internal stakeholders, procurement, and suppliers, providing resolution for complex invoice/payment issues, pricing mismatches, and system errors. Support the AP Manager in driving process improvements, workflow enhancements, and standardization initiatives across regions or business units. Review and supervise AP performance metrics, analyze trends or backlogs, and provide input to improve efficiency and service levels. Coordinate month-end closing activities, including AP accruals, GR/IR aging resolution, and reconciliation of AP-related accounts to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. Ensure full compliance with internal controls, SOX requirements, and company policies; contribute to control documentation and testing. Mentor and support junior team members, providing guidance on policies, tools, and problem-solving techniques. Participate in project initiatives, such as automation rollouts, ERP improvements, or new country/entity transitions, acting as a functional expert. Liaise with cross-functional teams including Procurement, Treasury, Tax, and IT to support effective end-to-end procure-to-pay operations. Strong functional expertise in end-to-end Accounts Payable processes, including invoice validation, vendor payments, 3-way matching, and tax compliance. Proven track record to handle complex issue resolution and stakeholder engagement across different levels and regions. Solid understanding of GR/IR accounting, accruals, payment terms, and vendor reconciliations. Solid understanding of SOX controls, audit readiness, and documentation practices. Strong analytical skills to interpret data and recommend operational improvements. Hands-on experience with SAP (preferably S/4HANA) and invoice workflow tools (e.g., Ariba) Comfortable working independently and capable of influencing others without direct authority. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience preparing performance reports or dashboards. Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CIMA) preferred. 5-7 years of proven experience in Accounts Payable operations, including exposure to shared services or regional hubs. Demonstrated experience handling process escalations, closing activities, and compliance requirements. Previous involvement in automation or ERP improvement projects is a strong plus.
