Sr. Director, Procure to Pay

P2P Strategy & Operating Model

• Define and execute the global P2P strategy, establishing a unified, scalable operating model that spans procurement operations and accounts payable across all geographies and business units.
• Build and own the P2P transformation roadmap, prioritizing initiatives across automation, AI-driven workflow orchestration, systems modernization, and process standardization.
• Establish a cohesive governance framework covering policy, controls, approval authority, and compliance.
• Serve as the executive voice of the P2P function, translating operational performance into clear narratives and strategic recommendations for CFO and cross-functional leadership.

End-to-End P2P Automation (Intake → Payment)

• Own the full automation agenda across the procure-to-pay lifecycle — from intake and requisition through purchase order issuance, goods receipt, invoice processing, and supplier payment.
• Lead the design, deployment, and continuous optimization of automated workflows that eliminate manual effort, reduce cycle times, and increase throughput without adding headcount.
• Partner with Finance Technology and IT to evaluate, implement, and integrate P2P platforms, ERP modules, and point solutions (e.g., Zip, Coupa, Ariba, SAP, Tipalti).
• Drive catalog expansion, guided buying adoption, and touchless PO rates to minimize off-contract and non-PO spend.

AI-Driven Workflow Orchestration

• Champion the deployment of AI and machine learning capabilities within the P2P stack — including intelligent routing, automated approvals, exception identification, and anomaly detection.
• Define use cases and success metrics for AI-driven automation across requisition intake, invoice matching, approval escalation, and payment risk scoring.
• Partner with data and engineering teams to build AI-powered workflows that continuously learn from transaction data and reduce manual exception handling over time.
• Ensure all AI-driven processes maintain appropriate human oversight, audit trails, and compliance controls.

Real-Time Spend Visibility & Financial Controls

• Build and maintain a real-time spend management framework providing leadership with current, accurate, and actionable visibility into committed spend, open obligations, and payment flows.
• Design and enforce financial controls across the P2P lifecycle, including three-way match, delegation of authority, supplier payment terms, and duplicate payment prevention.
• Own P2P compliance and risk management, including internal audit readiness, SOX-related controls, and supplier fraud prevention.
• Partner with FP&A and Accounting to ensure P2P data flows accurately support budgeting, accruals, and month-end close processes.
• Establish KPI dashboards and reporting cadences covering PO compliance, invoice cycle time, touchless rate, on-time payment, and supplier satisfaction.

Global Process Standardization at Scale

• Lead the standardization of P2P processes across all global regions — eliminating fragmentation, localizing where legally required, and creating a single, consistent operating standard.
• Build and maintain a global P2P playbook: documented SOPs, workflow diagrams, training materials, and control frameworks.
• Partner with regional finance, legal, and compliance teams to ensure global P2P processes adhere to local regulatory requirements, tax obligations, and supplier payment regulations.
• Drive change management and adoption programs to embed new processes and systems across a distributed global workforce.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing global P2P team spanning procurement operations and accounts payable.
• Define the optimal team structure and operating model as the business scales, including decisions around insourcing, outsourcing, and shared services.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Strategic Sourcing, Legal, IT, Finance, and business unit leaders.
• Attract, retain, and develop top operational talent with deep P2P expertise and a growth mindset.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive experience in procure-to-pay, procurement operations, or shared services, with at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record designing and executing P2P transformation programs — including automation implementation, system rollouts, and operating model redesign — at global scale.
• Deep functional expertise across both procurement operations (requisition, PO management, supplier onboarding) and accounts payable (invoice processing, payment, reconciliation).
• Hands-on experience with enterprise P2P platforms and ERP systems (Zip, Coupa, Ariba, Concur, Emburse, Ramp, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent).
• Strong command of financial controls, compliance frameworks, and audit requirements relevant to third-party spend and AP operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop global, distributed teams across multiple time zones and cultures.
• Exceptional executive communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.

Preferred

• Experience deploying AI, machine learning, or intelligent automation capabilities within a P2P or finance operations context.
• Familiarity with SOX controls, internal audit processes, and risk frameworks as they apply to AP and procurement.
• Background in high-growth technology or software companies.
• Experience leading shared services or business process outsourcing (BPO) transitions.
• MBA or advanced degree; CPSM, CPM, or AP/finance certification a plus.