Finance Shared Services Centre Lead

Job Description & Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead and manage the Shared Services Center finance function, with overall accountability for Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), Treasury, and Employee Claims.
• Define and implement policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure efficiency, compliance, and operational excellence across all functions.
• Drive alignment of Shared Services operations with corporate objectives, ensuring scalability and cost effectiveness.

2. Accounts Payable (AP) Management

• Oversee end-to-end AP operations in a manufacturing environment, including invoice processing, GRIR matching, approval workflows, and vendor payments.
• Optimize Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), maximize early payment discounts, and ensure timely and accurate disbursements.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and resolve disputes promptly to support business continuity.

3. Accounts Receivable (AR) Management

• Manage the complete AR cycle, including customer billing, cash application, and collections.
• Monitor AR aging, proactively address overdue accounts, and collaborate with business units to minimize credit risk.
• Implement best practices to improve working capital management and enhance cash inflows.
• Monitoring credit risk and evaluating new credit applications

4. Treasury & Cash Flow Management

• Oversee daily cash management activities, including bank reconciliations, cash positioning, and funding requirements.
• Prepare accurate cash flow forecasts, integrating AP, AR, and claims data to ensure liquidity planning.

• Collaborate with Group Treasury on investment of surplus funds, debt servicing, and foreign currency management.

• Ensure robust controls over banking operations, including signatory management and compliance with treasury policies.

5. Employee Claims & Expense Management

• Supervise the employee claims process, ensuring compliance with company policies and tax regulations.
• Streamline workflows to improve timeliness, accuracy, and employee experience.
• Partner with HR and business leaders to update policies and implement automation solutions for expense management.

6. Financial Reporting & Insights

• Ensure timely delivery of accurate financial reports, dashboards, and KPIs for Shared Services operations.
• Analyze trends to provide insights and recommendations for cash flow optimization, efficiency gains, and cost savings.

7. Process Excellence & Transformation

• Champion continuous improvement and automation across AP, AR, treasury, and claims.
• Benchmark Shared Services processes against industry best practices and implement enhancements.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives using ERP platforms (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, Ariba) and automation tools.

8. People Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of finance professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Conduct talent development programs, coaching, and performance reviews to build strong functional expertise.
• Drive change management and team engagement through effective communication and leadership.

9. Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with local statutory requirements, tax regulations, and corporate policies across all Shared Services functions.
• Act as the key liaison for internal and external auditors, providing necessary documentation and addressing audit findings.
• Strengthen internal controls to mitigate risks in payments, collections, treasury, and claims.

10. Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement, HR, Operations, and Business Finance to ensure smooth financial data flow and alignment with business needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, customers, and financial institutions.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on Shared Services performance, risks, and opportunities.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline; CPA/CA or equivalent preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressive finance experience, with 1-2 years in a supervisory role overseeing multiple finance functions.
• Strong expertise in AP, AR, treasury, and employee claims, ideally within a Shared Services or multinational environment.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, Ariba) and advanced Excel/analytical tools.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience building and motivating high-performing teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, process improvement, and change management capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, and resilient in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.