Accounts Payable Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Foster and support safety culture through all actions and behaviors.
• Drive business transformation by streamlining financial processes and enabling technology-driven solutions.
• Establish, optimize, and scale systems and processes to support growth across multiple business units.
• Stabilize the Accounts Payable function by ensuring consistent, timely, and accurate processing of all vendor invoices and payments.
• Document end-to-end “as-is” processes so every payable item has a clearly defined path from purchase order (or request) through to payment, including exceptions and non-PO spend.
• Act as primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all AP-related questions, issues, and escalations.
• Collaborate with the North America Finance team to design, refine, and embed efficient workflows, controls, and approval hierarchies.
• Own day-to-day activities related to AP, including payment runs, bank file generation/approval processes, rejected payments, and coordination with Treasury/Banking partners.
• Serve as Procurement SME for Procure-to-Pay, working with Procurement and business stakeholders to align purchasing, invoicing, and payment processes, including PO policies, 3 way match, and vendor terms.
• Oversee journals and accruals related to AP, costs, and liabilities, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely posting in alignment with month-end close timelines.
• Maintain and reconcile balance sheet liability accounts related to Accounts Payable (trade creditors, GR/IR, accrued expenses, advances, etc.), promptly investigating and resolving variances.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and relevant accounting standards for AP processes.
• Lead or support training and upskilling of AP staff and key users across the business on processes, policies, and systems.
• Partner with Finance to support accurate and timely month-end and year-end close activities related to AP.
• Develop, maintain, and report on Finance KPIs related to Accounts Payable (e.g., invoice processing time, % on-time payments, aging, receipts not matched, open orders, exceptions, days payables outstanding etc).
• Provide clear, data-driven insights on AP performance to Finance leadership and business stakeholders, highlighting risks, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardization of AP processes, including the adoption of technology, automation, and best practices.
• Build effective working relationships with global and regional stakeholders, leveraging Group knowledge and tools to improve AP processes locally.
• Support broader Procure-to-Pay transformation initiatives in partnership with Finance, Procurement, and IT.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, in line with Group financial reporting deadlines.
• Support the integration of new tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and value creation.
• Embrace a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build effective working relationships with global stakeholders including the Group Corporate Finance team.

Qualifications And Experience

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a relevant role.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is preferred but not required.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications And Competencies

• Self-motivated, proactive, and willing to take initiative.
• Demonstrates critical thinking, problem-solving, and a challenge-oriented approach.
• Highly reliable and trustworthy, with strong personal integrity and accountability.
• Holds high personal standards, consistently driving quality outcomes.
• Adopts a growth mindset: resilient, adaptable, and open to change in dynamic environments.
• Operates effectively as a collaborative team member, fostering trust and alignment.
• Loves continuous learning and is comfortable challenging assumptions and colleagues in a constructive way.