Lead, Accounts Payable Optimization
About The Position
This role serves as a strategic partner within Shared Services Accounts Payable, focusing on driving process optimization, automation, system enhancements, and operational efficiency across the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) landscape. The position involves cross-functional collaboration with Accounts Payable (AP), Procurement, IT, Treasury, Vendor Master, and business stakeholders to improve workflows, strengthen controls, reduce manual effort, and support scalable growth initiatives. A key responsibility is supporting and optimizing SAP Ariba and OpenText Vendor Invoice Management (VIM), along with related AP technologies, while guiding the organization's transition from transactional processing to process engineering and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8 years of related experience.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with AP systems and workflows, including invoice matching, PO processing, approvals, and payment cycles.
- Strong working knowledge of SAP Ariba and AP portal-based invoice processing.
- Proven ability to analyze process gaps, identify root causes, and implement sustainable, system-based solutions.
- Experience partnering with IT and cross-functional teams to support system changes, enhancements, and production issue resolution.
- High level of independence, initiative, and ownership; able to take projects from concept through execution with minimal direction.
- Strong understanding of internal controls, audit considerations, and SOX-related AP requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent).
- Progressive experience in Accounts Payable, AP operations, or finance-related roles with significant system interaction.
- Experience with OpenText VIM or comparable AP invoice management solutions.
- Experience supporting SAP ECC AP processes.
- Background in supplier onboarding, OCR optimization, or invoice automation initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead AP process optimization initiatives focused on automation, efficiency, scalability, and standardization across multiple business units and entities.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for SAP ECC, SAP Ariba, OpenText VIM, and AP workflow processes.
- Identify process bottlenecks, control gaps, and manual activities; develop and implement sustainable solutions.
- Partner with IT and system support teams to troubleshoot workflow, integration, and system configuration issues impacting AP operations.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to invoice processing, PO workflows, approvals, and payment processing.
- Develop and maintain AP process documentation, SOPs, training materials, and best practices.
- Support automation initiatives including OCR optimization, workflow enhancements, and reporting improvements.
- Assist with testing, validation, and deployment activities related to system upgrades, enhancements, and integrations.
- Ensure AP processes maintain compliance with internal controls, SOX requirements, and audit standards.
- Act as a liaison between AP operations and technical support teams to prioritize and resolve production issues.
Benefits
- tuition reimbursement
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- prescription drug coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- short-term disability insurance
- 8 weeks paid birthing leave
- 2 weeks paid bonding leave
- life and long-term disability insurance
- 12 days paid time off
- 2 paid well-being days
- 1 paid volunteer day
- 12 paid holidays
- 3 floating holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
