The Senior Manager, Accounts Payable will be responsible for all aspects of the Accounts Payable department, for a $4 billion + in annual revenues, with over 200,000 invoices, spread over 4 US entities and 1 Canadian entity. They will manage a team of 4 direct reports and have oversight of the 2 Shared Services Centers: one in France, and 1 in Malaysia. . The position will require 10% of travel.

Direct Accounts Payables operations for Arkema US entities, as well as Bostik Canada (40%)

• Manages and leads the accounts payable team in all daily accounts payable functions.
• Maintain adequate and appropriate internal controls for all payment functions, while managing relationships with internal vendor-facing teams, the rest of the finance function, and external vendors
• Completes the monthly close of AP financial records accurately and timely while overseeing vendor statements and aged payables to ensure that liabilities are properly recorded and reconciled.
• Analyze monthly throughput of invoice handling with our third party invoice processor to improve efficiency
• Provides accounting assistance and training to AP personnel regarding systems, the proper account codes and vendor classification and provides AP and accounting assistance to answer financial questions or concerns.
• Maintains documentation on procedures and policies for AP transactions. Ensures that the proper financial information is maintained for historical purposes and in accordance with the company’s record retention policies. Responsible for SOX compliance related to the AP department. Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing AP payments.
• Collaborate with both the Internal Audit team and external auditors
• Supervise staff to develop and prepare them for increased responsibilities and future career opportunities

Oversight of the Accounts Payable Shared Service Centers (35%)

• Analyzes, and summarizes metric information to manage and monitor the success of the organization.
• Establish escalation processes, as well as follow up of action plans
• Review monthly KPIs, and challenge the SSCs performances

Improve efficiencies by developing and implementing better Business/SAP processes (25%)

• Challenge the status quo on a daily basis to drive continuous improvement and automation.
• Represents the AP function in all projects which have a Procure To Pay impact
• Drives productivity, automation and process improvement efforts in the payable area within the local teams and the SSCs.
• Works on the strategy to define the future payable center in the US.
• Act as a leader in change management for the AP function.

Education

• 10+ years of progressive Accounting/Finance/Accounts Payable Experience
• BS in Accounting or Finance; MBA preferred

Competencies-Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Keep information confidential; engender trust and respect
• Requires expertise in ERP systems and ability to learn new systems and processes, SAP/ERP experience required
• Ability to discern and challenge data prepared by others
• Requires expert knowledge of MS Excel, Power BI user
• Supervisory experience required; receives guidance from manager in only the most complex situations
• Ensures the continuity of the financial close and high-quality standards of Arkema
• Ensuring that all financial data for A/P activities assigned is accurate and timely reported
• Functionally performs in alignment with regulations and standards set by US GAAP and IFRS
• Conduct work in accordance with all applicable rules and policies
• Ability to present executive summary and engage in discussions with executive level with minimal to no support from management. Ability to engage and influence senior management by gaining appropriate feedback and support and managing expectations
• Oscillates easily between high level and details to provide audience appropriate responses timely; must possess excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and build relationships with team personnel, plants, functional departments and vendors
• Act as strategic leader; assesses areas of risk &/or reward then drives team toward continuous improvement
• Maintains high expectations for self and drives larger team toward same
• Conveys expectations clearly and coaches toward continuous improvement
• Position requires an innovative thinker and eager to play a crucial role in the transformation of accounts payable function as we migrate ERP platforms. This individual must be able to maintain a positve attitude while working in a fast paced, and high-volume environment. His/Her ability to prioritize and teamwork are a must
• Awareness of digital solutions and its functions; strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to negotiate and effectively communicate judgement decisions

HES Requirements:

• Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
• Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g. Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.)
• Support and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental , near-miss, accident or injury incidents

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Requires working additional hours outside of normal workday/work week (including holiday):
  • to meet certain deadlines throughout the year
  • to communicate with our SSCs in Malaysia and/or France
  • to satisfy French reporting deadlines in months where we have holidays