Finance Manager: Accounts Payable | Midrand | Permanent

Lead a high-volume Accounts Payable function where strong financial controls, service delivery and operational improvement are equally important. This opportunity calls for an experienced finance operations leader who can combine technical AP expertise with effective people leadership and a strong transformation mindset.

You will take responsibility for the end-to-end centralised Accounts Payable function across multiple business units within a Finance Shared Services environment. The mandate covers supplier invoice processing, reconciliations, payments, governance, controls, stakeholder service, reporting and the ongoing improvement of AP processes.

A significant part of the role is focused on operational excellence. You will lead standardisation, automation, digitisation and system-enhancement initiatives while identifying opportunities to improve cycle times, reduce processing errors and strengthen financial governance. You will also provide insights into cash flow, working capital, liabilities, payment performance and outstanding balances.

Our client operates a sizeable, complex business with centralised finance operations supporting multiple business units and stakeholder groups. The environment is high-volume and service-driven, requiring disciplined financial controls, effective cross-functional collaboration and leaders who can deliver continuous improvement while maintaining operational stability.

What You'll Do

• Lead the end-to-end Accounts Payable function across multiple business units.

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices, reconciliations and payments in line with agreed SLAs.

• Manage high-volume transaction processing while maintaining quality and compliance.

• Maintain appropriate financial controls, segregation of duties and adherence to approval matrices.

• Lead, coach and develop Accounts Payable teams, including performance, productivity, capability and resource planning.

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies and VAT and tax requirements.

• Support internal and external audits and ensure audit findings are appropriately addressed.

• Act as an escalation point for suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Build effective relationships across Procurement, Treasury, Financial Accounting and operational business units.

• Monitor SLA performance and service-delivery metrics.

• Drive AP process standardisation, optimisation, automation and digitisation.

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, shorten cycle times and reduce processing errors.

• Support broader finance transformation initiatives.

• Oversee accurate and timely AP reporting and support month-end and year-end activities.

• Provide financial insights relating to cash flow, working capital and liabilities.

• Monitor payment performance, ageing and outstanding balances.

What You Bring

• A degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline.

• 7–10 years' experience in Accounts Payable or Finance Operations.

• 3–5 years' management experience, preferably within a Shared Services environment.

• Experience managing high-volume, centralised finance operations.

• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes, financial accounting, balance sheet management and financial controls.

• Proven experience managing governance processes and financial risk.

• Knowledge of VAT, taxation and relevant regulatory compliance requirements.

• ERP experience, including systems such as SAP, Oracle, Dynamics or Sage.

• SAP and BW knowledge will be relevant to the environment.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Power BI skills.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability.

• Effective reporting, presentation and communication skills.

• The ability to use technology to improve operational performance.

• Strong stakeholder management, customer-service orientation and organisational awareness.

• The resilience to operate effectively under pressure and manage change.

What Success Looks Like

• Accounts Payable services are delivered accurately, efficiently and within agreed service levels.

• Financial controls, governance and compliance requirements remain robust.

• Supplier payment issues and stakeholder escalations are resolved effectively.

• AP teams are productive, capable, engaged and appropriately resourced.

• Process improvements deliver measurable gains in efficiency, quality and cost.

• Automation and system improvements are successfully embedded into operations.

• Reporting provides reliable visibility into payment performance, ageing, liabilities and working capital.

• Internal and external audit requirements are effectively supported and identified risks are addressed.

• Finance stakeholders and operational business units receive consistent, high-quality service.

• The AP function continues to evolve through standardisation, technology and continuous improvement.