Senior Manager, Finance Operations
About You
The Senior Manager, Finance Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing end-to-end finance operations, with primary oversight of Trade Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) processes. This role manages a large operations team of approximately 30 staff and plays a critical role in driving process standardization, system effectiveness, internal controls, and continuous improvement across the finance operations function.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong operational discipline, system acumen, and a proven ability to scale finance processes in a high-volume, multi-entity environment.
Your Day-to-Day
Finance Operations Leadership
- Lead and oversee end-to-end Trade AP and AR operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of invoices, payments, billings, collections, and reconciliations.
- Manage and develop a finance operations team of approximately 30 staff, including team leads and supervisors, to ensure service quality, productivity, and performance consistency.
Process Governance & Internal Controls
- Establish and enforce strong operational controls across AP and AR processes to ensure compliance with company policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
- Monitor key operational KPIs such as invoice turnaround time, payment accuracy, overdue receivables, dispute resolution cycle, and staff productivity.
Process Improvement & SOP Documentation
- Drive continuous process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and control, leveraging automation, system enhancements, and best practices.
- Lead the documentation, standardization, and maintenance of end-to-end SOPs, process flows, RACI matrices, and control checklists for finance operations.
- Identify process gaps, operational risks, and control weaknesses, and implement corrective actions.
Systems & Automation
- Own and optimize finance operations systems and workflows, including AP/AR modules within ERP systems.
- Partner with product and technology team and system vendors to implement enhancements, automation, and process digitization initiatives.
- Act as the key business owner for AP/AR-related system changes, UAT, and post-implementation stabilization.
Stakeholder Management
- Partner closely with internal stakeholders such as product and technology, sales, treasury, legal, and business units to ensure smooth end-to-end transaction flows.
- Act as escalation point for complex operational issues, vendor disputes, customer billing issues, and system-related incidents.
Audit & Compliance Support
- Support internal and external audits by ensuring process documentation, audit evidence, and timely issue resolution.
- Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and internal audit requirements related to finance operations.
People Development & Capability Building
- Build a strong operational bench by coaching, mentoring, and developing team members.
- Drive knowledge retention through cross-training, SOP adherence, and structured onboarding plans.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Your Know-How
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; professional qualification (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) is an advantage.
- Minimum 8–10 years of experience in finance operations, shared services, or accounting functions, with significant exposure to Trade AP and AR.
- Proven experience managing large teams (20+ staff) in a high-volume, transaction-driven environment.
- Strong knowledge of AP/AR processes, internal controls, and finance operations best practices.
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent); exposure to automation tools is a plus.
- Demonstrated track record in driving process improvement, SOP documentation, and operational transformation.
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to balance operational detail and strategic improvement initiatives.