Accounts Payable Manager

Global Shared Services | Procure-to-Pay (P2P)
The Role
The Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for leading the global Accounts Payable (AP) function supporting U.S. and European entities while serving as a key leader within the Global Shared Services organization. This role provides oversight of end-to-end AP operations, including invoice processing, payment execution, month-end close activities, supplier management, compliance, and audit readiness.
The successful candidate will lead and develop a high-performing AP team, including the AP Supervisor and AP Specialists, while driving operational excellence, service quality, and continuous process improvement across the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) lifecycle.
This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational support and serves as a trusted business partner to Procurement, Treasury, Corporate Accounting, FP&A, Internal Audit, and other stakeholders. The AP Manager will champion standardization, automation, digital transformation, and AI-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, enhance the employee and supplier experience, and support the organization's broader finance transformation objectives.
The ideal candidate is a strong people leader, coach, and change agent who can balance operational execution with long-term organizational development, continuous improvement, and innovation.
Essential Functions
Global AP Operations & Payments
· Lead end-to-end Accounts Payable operations for U.S. and European entities, ensuring accurate and timely processing of PO and non-PO invoices, payments, and related activities.
· Oversee AP service delivery, ensuring compliance with established service levels, policies, and internal controls.
· Monitor invoice volumes, aging, exception queues, processing cycle times, and operational KPIs to drive efficiency and performance.
· Review and resolve complex invoice, supplier, tax, banking, and payment issues escalated by the AP team.
· Ensure compliance with company policies, purchasing requirements, accounting standards, internal controls, and global P2P procedures.
· Oversee payment processing activities, including ACH, wire transfers, SEPA, checks, virtual cards, and other regional payment methods, while maintaining appropriate approval workflows and segregation of duties.
· Partner with Treasury to optimize payment strategies, manage risk, and support cash flow objectives.
· Drive operational consistency and standardization across legal entities and regions.
Vendor Management & Business Partnership
· Serve as the primary escalation point for strategic supplier relationships and complex vendor disputes.
· Partner closely with Procurement to support purchasing compliance, supplier onboarding, and vendor master governance.
· Collaborate with business leaders, Controllers, FP&A, Treasury, and operational stakeholders to improve end-to-end P2P effectiveness.
· Ensure supplier inquiries are resolved professionally and within established service-level expectations.
· Drive improvements in supplier experience, communication, and self-service capabilities.
· Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders while promoting policy compliance and process discipline.
Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
· Lead month-end AP close activities across multiple legal entities, ensuring timely and accurate completion of AP-related accounting activities.
· Review and approve AP accruals, un-invoiced liabilities, cutoff adjustments, and GR/IR account balances.
· Oversee AP account reconciliations, aging reviews, and resolution of outstanding items and exceptions.
· Partner with Corporate Accounting and Controllers to support accurate financial reporting and close execution.
· Ensure AP transactions are recorded accurately and in accordance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements.
· Support quarter-end and year-end financial reporting activities.
Compliance, Controls & Audit
· Ensure compliance with SOX requirements, internal controls, company policies, and regulatory obligations.
· Oversee vendor master controls, supplier banking validations, tax documentation, and payment security processes.
· Monitor compliance with 1099, VAT, e-Invoicing, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
· Identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks across AP processes.
· Support internal, external, and SOX audits, including audit testing, documentation, and remediation activities.
· Maintain a strong control environment while driving process efficiency and standardization.
Process Improvement, Transformation & Innovation
· Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the AP organization with a focus on simplification, standardization, automation, and scalability.
· Champion a culture of operational excellence, encouraging employees to identify opportunities to improve service, efficiency, controls, and stakeholder experience.
· Drive finance transformation initiatives and support the evolution of Global Shared Services operating models.
· Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions that improve productivity and reduce manual effort.
· Lead implementation and optimization efforts for systems including SAP S/4HANA, Concur, Navan, Levelpath, ServiceNow, BlackLine, and other AP technologies.
· Use data, metrics, and analytics to identify trends, root causes, and process improvement opportunities.
· Partner with Finance, Procurement, IT, and Shared Services leadership to implement high-impact transformation initiatives.
AI & Digital Enablement
· Serve as a champion and advocate for AI-enabled Accounts Payable transformation.
· Identify opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, intelligent document processing, analytics, and workflow technologies to improve operational effectiveness.
· Develop and promote digital-first ways of working across the AP organization.
· Coach and educate team members on emerging technologies and opportunities to enhance productivity through AI and automation.
· Drive adoption of AI-assisted tools for invoice processing, exception management, supplier support, reporting, and workflow management.
· Ensure appropriate governance, controls, compliance, and auditability for AI-enabled processes.
· Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning.
Metrics & Performance Management
· Establish and monitor AP KPIs, dashboards, and service-level performance metrics.
· Analyze operational results, identify risks and improvement opportunities, and drive data-based decision-making.
· Present performance insights to leadership and implement action plans to improve efficiency, service quality, and customer satisfaction.
Team Leadership, Coaching & Talent Development
· Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Accounts Payable team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
· Manage talent initiatives including hiring, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.
· Build organizational capability through training, knowledge sharing, leadership development, and career growth opportunities
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Core Competencies
· Leadership & Talent Development – Builds, develops, and retains high-performing teams through coaching, accountability, and engagement.
· Strategic & Continuous Improvement Mindset – Balances operational execution with transformation, process improvement, and business objectives.
· AI & Innovation Leadership – Drives automation, AI adoption, and digital transformation to deliver measurable business value.
· Operational Excellence – Ensures accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and service quality through strong process discipline.
· Business Partnership & Customer Focus – Builds trusted cross-functional relationships and delivers exceptional stakeholder and supplier experiences.
· Problem Solving & Change Leadership – Resolves complex issues and successfully leads business, process, and technology change.
· Technical & Analytical Expertise – Leverages ERP systems, automation tools, financial controls, and data analytics to drive results.
Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
· 9+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience.
· 3+ years of leadership experience managing AP teams in a shared services or global environment.
· Strong knowledge of Procure-to-Pay processes, AP operations, supplier management, and payment processing.
· Experience supporting U.S. and international AP operations.
· Knowledge of VAT regulations, e-Invoicing, and international AP requirements.
· Strong understanding of SOX, internal controls, audit requirements, segregation of duties, and compliance frameworks.
· Experience with enterprise systems such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP Concur, Navan, Levelpath, ServiceNow, BlackLine, or similar platforms.
· Demonstrated success leading process improvement, transformation, automation, or operational excellence initiatives.
· Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees and leaders.
· Strong analytical, organizatio

Work arrangement
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