Senior Manager - Accounts Payable

WPP; Mumbai; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

WPP in Mumbai is seeking a seasoned Finance Operations leader to head Procure to Pay and Billing within the SSC India. The role oversees vendor master, invoice processing, order management and billing while driving efficiencies and automation across the function.

The ideal candidate brings 15-20 years in finance operations, experience in SSC/Media, and a proven track record in people management, process improvement and stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of experience in Finance Operations (AP/AR)
• Experience in SSC/Media environment
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Self-motivated with a client-service mindset
• Proven people management and leadership capabilities
• Ability to develop procedures and service standards for business excellence
• Strong analytical ability to explain complex financial data to stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead Procure to Pay and Billing functions in the WPP SSC India, overseeing vendor master, invoices, orders, billing and inventory.
• Lead a team of 100+ FTEs, drive performance, mentoring, stakeholder engagement and delivery excellence.
• Identify and implement automation to enhance processes, reduce turnaround times and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with SOX, statutory and internal auditors to ensure compliance and address audit requirements.
• Manage change initiatives, communicate vision, drive adoption and ensure alignment with business needs.

Skills

Finance operations

AP/AR

Vendor management

People management

Communication skills

Process improvement

Team leadership

Negotiation & reconciliation

Job description

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.

We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

For more information, visit WPP.com.

• Lead Procure to Pay and Billing functions, oversaw vendor master management, invoice processing, order management, contract generation, billing, and inventory processes from the WPP SSC India. Supervised P & L management, billing operations, and proactively sought opportunities for business expansion.
• Lead a team of 100+ FTEs. Managed team operations, fostered employee development, engaged stakeholders, and ensured service delivery excellence. Nurtured a culture of excellence and accountability within the team, provided mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to enhance skill sets and drive career progression. Streamlined business processes and documentation, including the establishment and monitoring of KPIs and metrics. Continuously monitored SLAs, conducted team presentations, and spearheaded process quality enhancement initiatives.
• Identify and implement automation solutions to optimize processes, reduce turnaround time, and enhance efficiency. Solicited feedback from internal and external stakeholders, drove process refinements based on insights gathered. Mitigated technical, financial, and scheduling risks associated with the transition process.
• Collaborate with SOX, statutory, and internal auditors to ensure compliance and address audit requirements. Proactively stayed abreast of regulatory changes and industry best practices, implemented robust compliance frameworks, and conducted regular audits to mitigate risks and uphold ethical standards. Effectively managed change initiatives, communicated vision and objectives, addressed resistance, and empowered employees to embrace change and adapt to evolving business requirements.

ROLE-SPECIFIC SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES

Skills/Experience

• Minimum 15-20 years of experiencing in Finance Operations - AP/AR.
• Should have an experience in SSC/Media
• Strong communication skills for negotiation & reconciliation
• Self-motivated
• Commercially focused with a strong Client service approach
• Strong experience in People Management
• Adept in managing & leading teams for running successful process operations and experience of developing procedures & service standards for business excellence.
• An effective communicator with excellent relationship building & interpersonal skills with proficiency in explaining complex financial data.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.