The Manager Accounts Payable is responsible for leading and optimising the full end to end Accounts Payable (creditors) function across the Group within a shared services operating model. The role ensures accuracy, efficiency, automation, supplier optimisation, compliance, and financial governance to support the Group's financial objectives and operational excellence. Creditors Management:
- Oversee the full end to end Group creditors cycle, ensuring accurate, timely, policy aligned payments.
- Implement strong controls to prevent duplicate payments, incorrect supplier details, or manual processing errors.
- Manage AP month end close, ageing analysis, reconciliations, and exception resolution.
- Ensure all invoices are processed within defined SLAs and escalation protocol Process Optimisation:
- Assess the current AP operating model and continuously identify process bottlenecks.
- Define, document, and implement standardised AP policies, workflows, and governance procedures.
- Introduce workflow automation, OCR, and exception based processing to reduce manual effort. Supplier Management:
- Manage, rationalise, and optimise supplier base to leverage buying power
- Ensure all suppliers are onboarded through proper vetting
- Improve supplier engagement, responsiveness, and communication. Compliance:
- Ensure all payments have valid supporting documentation (contracts, POs, approvals).
- Enforce internal controls in alignment with finance policies, IFRS standards, and audit requirements.
- Maintain zero tolerance for policy deviations, fraud exposure, or audit exceptions.
- Manage AP compliance training for team and business units. Data Integrity:
- Maintain a clean, accurate supplier master file aligned with data governance rules.
- Perform scheduled data audits to identify inconsistencies, duplicates, and risks.
- Ensure seamless integration of AP data into ERP systems and reporting tools. Cashflow Management:
- Prepare short, medium, and long term cash flow forecasts for creditors payments.
- Analyse payment trends, seasonal fluctuations, and funding requirements.
- Collaborate with Treasury to optimise working capital and payment strategies (e.g., early payment discounts).
- Identify opportunities to improve payment terms and cashflow stability. Automation:
- Implement RPA/BOTs, AI driven approvals, and invoice scanning technologies.
- Assess system gaps and lead digital transformation initiatives within AP.
- Drive adoption of e invoicing and paperless workflows.
- Train team and stakeholders on digital tools. Financial Reporting:
- Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual AP reports for management review.
- Monitor performance dashboards, KPI trends, and process exceptions.
- Provide deep dive analytics on spend, supplier trends, cost drivers, and inefficiencies. Team Leadership:
- Build and manage a high performance AP team with a culture of accountability.
- Conduct coaching, skills development, and performance assessments.
- Implement workforce planning, succession planning, and skills matrix tracking.
- Manage team morale during periods of change or transformation. Stakeholder Management:
- Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Procurement, Treasury, Finance, Audit, Operations).
- Manage escalations, resolve queries promptly, and ensure clear communication.
- Conduct stakeholder feedback sessions and implement improvements System Evaluation:
- Evaluate AP, ERP, and workflow management systems for optimisation.
- Drive upgrades, new system implementations, and integrations.
- Troubleshoot system issues and ensure high uptime. Risk Management:
- Identify financial, operational, and fraud risks relating to AP workflows.
- Implement controls, segregation of duties, and monitoring tools.
- Perform root cause analysis on discrepancies or payment failures
Minimum Requirements
- (Qualifications & Experience)
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- BCom Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
- 5-8 years' experience in a creditors/ accounts payable environment
- 2-3 years' experience in a management role
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency
- Experience with accounting systems Advantageous:
- Shared Services environment experience
- Automation / digitisation implementation experience Required Knowledge:
- Accounting principles and financial management
- Accounts Payable processes and controls
- Financial legislation and compliance requirements
- Procurement-to-pay (P2P) processes
- Cash flow management and forecasting
- Supplier contract management
- Financial systems and ERP platforms
- Advanced Excel and financial data analysis
- Strong analytical and numerical skills
- Negotiation and supplier management
- Planning, organising, and problem-solving
- Financial reporting and reconciliation
- Process improvement and optimisation
- Strong communication (written and verbal) Salary: R700 - R900 000pa CTC Send cv to
