Manager GBS Subject Matter Expert

adidas; Colombia; Presencial; COP 120.000.000 - 180.000.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

adidas seeks a Manager Accounts Payable SME to lead process improvements and digital enablement across the AP function in the Americas. You will drive cost optimization, productivity gains, and automated solutions while partnering with global and local stakeholders.

The role requires Lean Six Sigma, SAP experience, strong data analysis, and bilingual English/Spanish communication. A solid background in procurement and AP workflows is essential for success.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Industrial Engineering, Finance, or related fields (master’s preferred).
• Lean Six Sigma certification, Yellow Belt as minimum.
• 3+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Productivity, or Operational Excellence roles.
• 3+ years of operational experience with accounts payable processes (AP, Posting, T&E, Payments).
• Understanding end-to-end procurement processes (Accounts payable & Travel & expenses).
• Solid experience with SAP and tools such as Concur, Ariba, FIP, APWF.
• Experience in process design, mapping and improving process quality.
• Strong data analysis and visualization skills (Power BI, Excel, SQL).
• Experience with digital enablers (Power Apps, RPA, AI, Smartsheet, SharePoint).
• Fluent in English and Spanish; strong stakeholder management.

Responsabilidades

• Lead productivity initiatives to optimize costs, FTE efficiency, and backlog reduction.
• Improve AP processes (on-time payment, reconciliation, posting QA, open items, APWF).
• Understand stakeholder requirements, deliver analysis, and propose improvements for standardization and automation.
• Lead reviews with suppliers to minimize risks and ensure actionable regional plans.
• Deliver ad hoc reports to local Finance teams for decision-making and visibility.
• Support APWFs, GRs and PO resolution with local users across Americas.

Conocimientos

Lean Six Sigma

AP processes

SAP

Concur

Ariba

FIP

APWF

Power BI

Excel

SQL

Power Apps

RPA

Process mining

SharePoint

English

Spanish

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Master’s degree preferred

Herramientas

SAP

Concur

Ariba

FIP

APWF

Power BI

Excel

SQL

Power Apps

RPA

Smartsheet

SharePoint

Descripción del empleo

Manager Accounts Payable Subject Matter Expert Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:At adidas, we have a clear purpose: “Through sport, we have the power to change lives.” This guiding principal shapes how we operate as a company, how we collaborate with our partners, how we create our products, and how we connect with our consumers. Our values represent essential behaviours and mindsets, reflecting the “You Got This” attitude we strive to see in every team member. This same purpose and mindset are at the heart of Global Business Services (GBS) the team that delivers consistent, end-to-end business solutions across adidas. By driving process excellence and operational efficiency, GBS enables our partners to focus on what matters most: creating impact. The Manager accounts payable Subject matter expert is accountable for leading initiatives that enhance efficiency, productivity, and process excellence within Accounts Payable functions. The role drives measurable business impact by combining Lean Six Sigma methodologies, productivity frameworks, and digital enablers (automation, analytics, process mining). Acting as a change leader, the Manager partners with stakeholders to ensure delivery of savings, service improvement, and transformation projects to create a journey that exceeds the expectations of our vendors & employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, prioritization, and execution of productivity initiatives delivering cost optimization, FTE efficiency, and backlog reduction.
• Drive improvements for Accounts Payable processes (e.g. Payment on Time indicator, reconciliation, posting QA, open items, APWF, etc.) identifying root causes properly and defining integral action plan to achieve the target.

Stakeholder Management & Change management

• Understand stakeholders’ requirements collecting data, delivering analysis and propose relevant improvements to address process simplification, standardization, and automation. applying problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement corrective actions that address issues sustainably.
• Lead timely reviews and follow-ups on critical supplier accounts to minimize risks and maintain strong vendor relationships, while ensuring root causes have actionable plan for the region.
• Deliver ad hoc reports to local Finance teams to support analysis, decision-making, and operational visibility.
• Engage with local users across Americas to support APWFs, Goods Receipts (GRs) and Purchase Orders (POs) resolution and with Processing team to support timely and accurate invoice processing.

Capability Building & Culture

• Facilitate implementation of process standardization, harmonization and automation.
• Serve as the process expert, providing expertise, training and guidance across Accounts Payable activities to accounts payable specialists and stakeholders; in line with the latest taxonomy, DTPs, and Global procedures.

Key Relationships

• Internal: GPO, GBS Delivery Excellence team, GBS Finance operations, local market finance teams, procurement teams, and IT support.
• External: Vendors/suppliers and other third-party stakeholders related to Accounts Payable.
• Operational Partners: Delivery team (for invoice postings) business users (for GR/PO resolution), Vendor query resolution team.

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Industrial Engineering, Finance, or related fields (master’s preferred).
• Lean Six Sigma certification, Yellow Belt as minimum.
• +3 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Productivity, or Operational Excellence roles.
• +3 years of operational experience with accounts payable processes (AP, Posting, T&E, Payments).
• Understanding E2E of procurement process (Accounts payable & Travel and expenses).
• Solid experience with SAP and specific areas’ tools such as Concur, Ariba, FIP, APWF.
• Experience in process design, process mapping, improving process quality, process review and compliance.
• Strong experience in managing productivity initiatives with measurable impact (FTE, cost, service KPIs).
• Advanced skills in data analysis and visualization (Power BI, Excel, SQL, etc.).
• Experience with digital enablers (Power Apps, RPA, AI, Smartsheet, process mining, SharePoint).
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills in English and Spanish.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and influencing skills to drive results without direct authority.

Knowledge, Skills And Leadership Abilities Managers

EXCEL

• Live your passion for the brand: Acts as a confident brand ambassador, spreading enthusiasm for adidas, its culture, products, and consumers. shares brand updates, understands diverse consumer needs and adapts accordingly.
• Act like it’s your own company: Balances global strategy with local needs, aligns team goals, seeks process improvements, and drives sustainable growth and profitability.
• Think Bigger and Beyond: Anticipates change, embraces ambiguity, and encourages innovation. Supports calculated risks, challenges the status quo, and drives continuous improvement.

EMPOWER

• Build a diverse team & foster inclusion: Creates diverse, high-performing teams in an inclusive, fair environment. Encourages open dialogue, values different perspectives, and celebrates individual and team achievements
• Engage and inspire: Connects and energizes the team with clear vision and motivating communication. Guides through challenges and promotes well-being and resilience.
• Develop talent: Iidentifies and creates development opportunities, provides fair access to growth, and fosters a culture of trust and continuous feedback.

ELEVATE

• Deliver results: Sets clear, achievable goals, prioritizes value-driven actions, ensures resources, and exemplifies a hands-on mentality to overcome challenges.
• Promote accountability: Owns decisions with transparency, communicates expectations clearly, addresses conflicts constructively, and takes confident actions, even in challenging situations.
• Continue to grow yourself: Seeks feedback, reflects to increase self-awareness, embraces a learning mindset, and pursues growth beyond the comfort zone while promoting development within the team.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.