Global Accounts Payable Lead

S&P Global; Penang; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational financial services company in Penang is seeking a Global Accounts Payable Lead to oversee the end-to-end accounts payable processes. This role involves team leadership, managing vendor relations, and driving continuous process improvements for efficiency. Candidates must have 12-15 years' experience in Accounts Payable within a global context, along with strong skills in SAP and Microsoft Excel. The company offers competitive compensation and a focus on employee well-being.

Benefits

Health care coverage

Generous time off

Continuous learning resources

Retirement planning

Family-friendly benefits

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of experience in managing Accounts Payable in a global organization.
• Experience in leading a global finance team with a focus on talent development.
• Strong understanding of accounts payable principles and financial regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end accounts payable processes.
• Lead and mentor a team of Accounts Payable associates.
• Drive process improvements and automation in AP processes.

Skills

Vendor management

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Graduate degree

MBA Finance/Professional Qualifications

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

About the Role: The Global Accounts Payable (AP) Lead will oversee end-to-end accounts payable processes as a pivotal member of the Global Financial Operations Team. This role requires a professional with a strong understanding of AP principles, meticulous attention to detail, and proven team leadership experience. The Global AP Lead will ensure accurate and timely processing of invoices, manage vendor relationships, and drive continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency and control within the AP function.

The Team: Osttra Finance Team is based in the UK, India, Penang, Sweden and US. It is an entrepreneurial team that is highly energetic, flexible, dynamic and works beyond boundaries to deliver real value. We are standing up an independent global finance team.

(Hiring Manager to provide to Recruiter - Describe in 2-3 sentences about the team’s dynamic, what makes it different, what it values, etc)

Location: Penang, Malaysia

Work Hours: UK Shift

Responsibilities and Impact

Role and responsibilities of a Global Accounts Payable Lead

The Global AP Lead will be responsible for building and leading a team and ensuring the operational excellence of the AP function across EMEA, APAC, US & India regions, including but not limited to:

• Process Management & Oversight: Oversee the end-to-end accounts payable lifecycle, from invoice receipt and verification to payment processing and reconciliation. Ensure compliance with internal policies and controls.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Accounts Payable associates. Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate skill development to build a high-performing team.
• Vendor Management & Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a primary point of contact for key internal stakeholders and external vendors to resolve complex payment and invoice-related issues.
• Payment Processing: Drive the end-to-end disbursement process, ensuring timely and accurate execution of vendor invoice and T&E payment cycles while maintaining rigorous control over tax and compliance documentation prior to funds release.
• Review and Validation: Critically review vendor invoices, purchase orders, and T&E claims to verify the correctness of VAT/Tax rates, registration numbers, and applicability based on the supplier's jurisdiction. Also responsible for maintenance of Vendor master data.
• Key Metrics: Responsible for producing metrics including but not limited to: Cash outflow forecast to Treasury; Average Invoice Processing Time; Days Payable Outstanding; First Pass Match Rate.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Proactively identify opportunities to streamline and automate AP processes. Lead projects to implement new systems or technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Audit & Compliance: Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, explanations, and analysis related to accounts payable. Ensure all AP practices comply with company policies and financial regulations.
• Reporting & Analysis: Prepare and analyze AP reports, including aging reports and vendor metrics, to provide management with insights into cash flow and operational performance.
• Initiatives / Projects: Lead initiatives and projects as required to support any business-driven or system changes.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate cross-functionally with teams such as Treasury (for Cash Outflow), Group Financial Control, Legal Entity Control, and FP&A to strategically address and resolve ad-hoc financial and operational challenges.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Required Experience

Candidates must have specialist experience in managing an Accounts Payable team end-to-end and a mix of technical (in a SAP environment), professional, and leadership competencies. They must be adept at:

• Experience: 12-15 years of relevant experience in managing Accounts Payable function within a global organization, with at least 5-8 years of direct team leadership experience. For the right candidate, we will be willing to flex the requirement of number of years of experience.
• Financial & Accounting Acumen: Strong understanding of accounts payable principles, three-way matching, and general accounting concepts.
• Compliances & Audits: Experience and knowledge in managing Legal Entity / Group Audits and compliances across multiple geographies.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven experience in leading and managing a global finance team, with a focus on talent development, delegation, and building a high-performance culture.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: A proactive and solution-oriented mindset with the ability to identify issues and implement effective resolutions. Strong analytical skills to manage and interpret AP data.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to identify systemic issues and drive strategic resolutions. Strong analytical skills to interpret complex financial data and trends.
• Driving Change & System Implementation: Extensive experience in process and system transitions (in a SAP environment). A champion of change who thrives in dynamic environments and drives innovation. The person should be able to define and evolve key payment processes like Direct Debits, Manual Payments, SAP Fiori workflows, etc.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Technological proficiency: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, advanced formulas) and experience with SAP ERP systems

Qualifications

• Graduates. Additional preferred MBA Finance/ Professional Qualifications
• Experience in a senior leadership role within a finance team of a global organization.

About OSTTRA

Launched in 2021, OSTTRA unites four businesses that have been at the heart of post-trade evolution and innovation for over 20 years: MarkitServ, Traiana, TriOptima and Reset.

With an outstanding track record of developing and supporting critical market infrastructure, our combined network connects thousands of market participants to streamline end-to-end workflows – from trade capture at the point of execution, through portfolio optimization, to clearing and settlement.

Joining the OSTTRA team is a unique opportunity to help build a bold new business with an outstanding heritage in financial technology, playing a central role in supporting global financial markets. Learn more at www.osttra.com.

What’s In It For You?

We take care of you, so you can take care of business. We care about our people. That’s why we provide everything you—and your career—need to thrive at OSTTRA.

Our benefits include:

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.
• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: Perks for partners and children, including family-friendly benefits.
• Beyond the Basics: From retail discounts to referral incentive awards—small perks can make a big difference.

For more information on benefits by country visit: spgbenefits.com/benefit-summaries

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Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law. Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.

If you need an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please send an email to the appropriate contact.

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