Accounts Payable Director

Waste Management, Inc. (WM)•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Director, Accounts Payable is a senior leader within Finance Shared Services, responsible for end‑to‑end ownership of centralized accounts payable operations across onshore and offshore teams. This role drives operational excellence, standardization, and scalability across the procure‑to‑pay lifecycle. The Director owns the delivery of service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring high‑quality, timely, and accurate service while driving transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Operating within a shared services model, this role acts as a strategic partner across Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Audit, Digital, Treasury, and Field Operations, aligning service delivery with business priorities. This leader develops a high‑performing global team and advances a culture of continuous improvement, while leveraging data and technology to optimize processes, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable business outcomes related to cost, control, risk reduction, and service quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (accredited) in Accounting, Business Administration or similar area of study.
12+ years or more of previous experience (in addition to education requirements)
Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strategic mindset with the ability to translate complex concepts into executive-level insights.
Demonstrated ability to apply a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to process improvement and change management
Strong verbal and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Prior leadership of local and remote/offshore teams highly preferred

Responsibilities

Develops and executes the Accounts Payable strategy, operating plan, and budget in alignment with Finance Shared Services and corporate objectives, including onshore and offshore delivery models.
Owns the end‑to‑end Accounts Payable operating model, ensuring consistent, compliant, and high‑quality service delivery within established SLAs for internal and external customers.
Oversees budgeting, invoices, purchase orders, and forecast in alignment with Finance Shared Services.
Serves as a manager of managers, providing leadership and direction to AP leaders across multiple locations, including U.S. and offshore teams.
Establishes and monitors performance metrics and SLAs, leveraging analytics to drive improvements in timeliness, accuracy, controls, and supplier compliance.
Work with various corporate teams to ensure all accounts payable activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, and stay informed of any changes.
Serve as the escalation point for complex accounts payable issues and guide the team in resolving supplier inquiries and discrepancies.
Ensures strong controls, compliance, and audit readiness for AP operations, partnering with Internal and External Audit and monitoring regulatory and policy changes.
Conducts AP business reviews and optimizes staffing and cost models while maintaining service quality and control standards.
Counsels managers as to execution of programs, and when necessary, provides direction for modification in work plans or implementation of contingency plans in accordance with prevailing business conditions.
Ensures that team members are adequately trained, providing ongoing development opportunities and performance feedback to foster a culture of growth and professional development.
Actively collaborates with key departments, including Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Digital, Supply Chain, Internal Audit, Finance Shared Services, Payroll, and Field, to ensure seamless integration of accounts payable processes, foster strong partnerships, and align on strategic objectives for the overall success and growth of the organization.
Ensure high levels of internal/external customer satisfaction by overseeing the efficient and accurate handling of accounts payable, addressing internal/external customer inquiries and concerns promptly, and implementing best practices to enhance service delivery both internally and externally.
Builds an inclusive and engaged team culture that embraces diversity, collaboration, and accountability across geographically dispersed locations.
Champions a Shared Services mindset, leading change initiatives and driving standardization, automation, and technology‑enabled improvements.