Accounts Payable Manager, EMEA

Location: Greater London

* Lead and manage the PTP team, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments.
* Provide guidance, training, and development opportunities to enhance team capabilities.
* Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive continuous improvements to optimise service delivery.
* Implement training programmes to enhance team knowledge of PTP processes and systems.
* Drive a customer service-oriented culture within the team, ensuring high levels of service and responsiveness to internal and external stakeholders.
* Oversee the accurate and timely processing of invoices from multiple sources, ensuring adherence to company policies and compliance requirements.
* Ensure timely payments to vendors, resolving discrepancies and disputes effectively.
* Maintain strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth operations.
* Drive significant improvements in payment performance, with reference to Payment Practices Reporting requirements.
* Monitor and drive compliance with the Purchase Order (PO) process, ensuring that invoices are matched correctly against POs and goods receipts.
* Work with business units to increase PO adoption and ensure adherence to the No PO, No Pay policy.
* Educate vendors and internal teams on the importance of three-way matching (PO, goods receipt, invoice) to enhance control and efficiency.
* Ensure full ownership of the AP sub-ledger, ensuring reconciliation to the general ledger at period end.
* Accurately account for all purchase ledger transactions, including payments and rejected payments.
* Ensure regular reconciliations of accounts payable transactions, resolving discrepancies promptly.
* Prepare and present PTP reports to senior management, highlighting key metrics and insights.
* Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
* Ensure adherence to company policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements related to PTP processes.
* Support internal and external audit requests, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
* Mitigate financial and operational risks by implementing robust control mechanisms.
* Drive compliance from the business and vendors with regard to the No PO, No Pay policy, ensuring strict adherence and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
* Drive compliance from the business and vendors regarding the Purchase Order policy, ensuring adherence and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
* Ensure compliance with SOX controls, maintaining proper documentation and adherence to internal financial control standards.
* Act as the key point of contact for PTP-related queries from internal stakeholders across EMEA.
* Work closely with procurement, finance, and treasury teams to align PTP operations with broader business objectives.
* Drive initiatives to enhance vendor relationships, including improved communication and service levels.
* Partner with Finance teams to ensure that purchase requisitions, PO approvals, and goods receipting processes are aligned with best practices and business needs.
* Educate vendors and internal stakeholders on compliance requirements and best practices.
* Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience in leading a PTP or Accounts Payable team.
* Expertise in full-cycle accounts payable and PTP processes, preferably within a shared services or multinational environment.
* Proficiency in ERP systems, particularly SAP and Ariba, with a focus on PTP module configurations.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends and drive process improvements.
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
* Experience in implementing automation tools (e.g., robotic process automation, AI-driven workflows) to optimize processes.
* Understanding of compliance, internal controls, and risk management related to PTP functions.
* Knowledge and enforcement of SOX compliance controls and their application within PTP processes.
**** Qualifications & Skills****:
***** Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related…