AP Shared Services Operations Manager

Heaven Hill Brands•Louisville, KY

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Accounts Payable (AP) Shared Services Operations Manager is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing Accounts Payable organization that delivers accurate, timely, and controlled transaction processing while providing exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders. This role reports to the Director, Accounting Shared Services and serves as a key leader within the Finance organization. The Manager will lead a high-performing Accounts Payable organization focused on service excellence, operational discipline, process standardization, and continuous improvement. This individual will be responsible for developing people, strengthening controls, leveraging technology, and creating scalable processes that support the future-state Shared Services organization. This role requires strong leadership, operational expertise, business partnership, and a commitment to driving positive change while maintaining a well-controlled and efficient operation. The Manager will need to be comfortable equally supporting developing employees, resolving complex operational and accounting issues, partnering across functions, and leading process and technology transformation initiatives. As Heaven Hill continues its transition to IFS Cloud and advances its Shared Services strategy, this position will play a critical role in building a scalable, technology-enabled, and well-controlled Accounts Payable function that supports the organization's long-term growth objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Minimum 7 years of progressive Accounts Payable, accounting operations, or related experience, including minimum of 3 years of direct people leadership experience in a complex, multi-entity environment.
Experience leading Accounts Payable operations across multiple legal entities; global or multi-currency experience
Demonstrated success leading teams through organizational, process, or technology-driven change
Experience leading cross-functional improvement, ERP, automation, or systems implementation initiatives
Strong understanding of Accounts Payable operations, accounting principles, internal controls, and period-end-close requirements.
Experience developing and managing operational metrics, service levels, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other business applications
Strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

experience leveraging AI, workflow automation, or RPA technologies is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the daily activities of the Accounts Payable department, establishing clear expectations for performance, accountability, accuracy, timeliness, and customer service.
Build, develop, and maintain a high-performing AP organization through effective talent assessment, recruiting, onboarding, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.
Conduct performance management activities, including coaching, feedback, development planning, and succession planning.
Lead team members through significant organizational, process, and technology changes while maintaining employee engagement, operational continuity, and service levels.
Identify and remove obstacles impacting team performance and provide team members with the tools, resources, training, and support necessary to be successful.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and strong customer service.
Ensure accurate recording and administration of team members’ time and attendance.
Manage the accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices in multiple currencies across multiple subsidiaries, including intercompany settlements.
Ensure strong internal controls, segregation of duties, fraud prevention practices, and policy compliance. Partner with Purchasing, Treasury, Sales, Operations, and other stakeholders to improve procure-to-pay processes.
Support period-end close, audit activities, 1099 reporting, shareholder distributions, and compliance activities.
Maintain standardized processes, documentation, and operating procedures.
Serve as escalation point for complex supplier, operational, system, and accounting issues.
Own the AP continuous improvement roadmap.
Lead transformation initiatives from assessment through stabilization.
Drive standardization, simplification, automation, and optimization utilizing IFS Cloud capabilities.
Reduce manual work and improve employee and supplier experiences.
Partner across functions to implement sustainable improvements.
Quantify benefits associated with process and technology improvements.
Develop, maintain, and report departmental metrics and KPIs to measure operational performance, accuracy, efficiency, service levels, and continuous improvement.
Use performance data to identify trends, root causes, capacity constraints, and opportunities for improvement.
Provide leadership with visibility into operational performance and improvement initiatives.