Overall Job Summary

The Manager, AP Transformation & Analysis leads the Accounts Payable (AP) transformation, analytics, and continuous improvement agenda while providing leadership over assigned AP operational and accounting functions. This position owns the AP-wide transformation roadmap across Merchandising and Expense AP, leveraging process redesign, data, automation, and AI to improve efficiency, scalability, controls, vendor experience, and working capital.

The Manager serves as an end-to-end AP process leader with strong technical AP, systems, and data knowledge. The role translates business needs into clear requirements and future-state designs, develops practical AI/GPT/Copilot and business automation solutions, and partners with Accounting Systems & Automation and IT for complex technical builds. The position also provides leadership over Expense AP and AP accounting, close, metrics, and performance analysis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Min 5%)

• Own and execute the AP-wide transformation and continuous improvement roadmap across Merchandising and Expense AP, prioritizing initiatives based on business value, risk, scalability, controls, vendor experience, and working-capital impact.
• Serve as an end-to-end AP process subject matter expert, maintaining strong knowledge of AP process flows, SAP and related applications, transaction and exception logic, controls, and underlying data.
• Lead complex AP transformation initiatives from opportunity identification and business case through requirements, future-state design, implementation, change management, and benefits realization, including invoice automation, S/4HANA, supply chain financing, and other strategic AP capabilities.
• Translate AP operational and financial needs into clear business and functional requirements. Partner with AP Operations, Accounting Systems & Automation, and IT to ensure solutions address the underlying business need without unnecessary complexity.
• Identify, develop, and implement practical AI, GPT, Copilot, and business automation solutions. Partner with technical teams for advanced development, data engineering, integrations, and enterprise-scale automation.
• Lead AP performance management and analytics, including KPIs, operational metrics, trend and root-cause analysis, productivity insights, and management reporting to identify opportunities and measure outcomes.
• Provide leadership and oversight for Expense AP operations and AP accounting/month-end activities, ensuring service levels, controls, reconciliations, reporting, and financial results are accurate, timely, and complete.
• Partner closely with Merch AP leadership and team leads to maintain strong knowledge of high-volume Merch AP processes and operational pain points; lead AP-wide improvements while day-to-day Merch AP accountability remains with AP Operations.
• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives, change management, process documentation, training, and stakeholder communication. Present recommendations, project status, risks, and decisions to senior leadership.
• Ensure AP transformation, automation, analytics, and assigned operations comply with internal controls, company policies, audit requirements, and SOX requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop assigned team members and build transformation, analytical, technical, and continuous-improvement capabilities across AP.

Required Qualifications

Experience: Experience: 7-10 years of combined experience in Accounts Payable, accounting/finance operations, transformation, process improvement, automation, analytics, or project/program leadership required. Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and translating business needs into process and technology solutions required. High-volume AP, retail, and people management experience strongly preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Information Systems, or related field is preferred. Any suitable combination of education and experience will be considered.

Professional Certifications: CPA, CMA, Lean Six Sigma, project/program management, data analytics, automation, or relevant AI/technology certifications preferred.

Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities

• Strong end-to-end technical knowledge of AP processes, including Merchandising and Expense AP, transaction flows, exceptions, controls, accounting impacts, and upstream/downstream dependencies.
• Strong systems and data fluency with the ability to understand AP data across ERP, invoice/workflow, reporting, and related platforms; SAP experience strongly preferred and S/4HANA experience a plus.
• Ability to translate complex AP business needs into clear process, data, and system requirements and effectively bridge business and technical teams.
• Hands-on ability to develop and implement practical AI, GPT, Copilot, and business automation solutions and apply emerging technology to finance and accounting use cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, diagnose root causes, prioritize opportunities, and measure outcomes.
• Demonstrated transformation and project leadership, including requirements, implementation, change management, and benefits realization.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong executive presence and the ability to influence stakeholders and simplify complex financial, operational, data, and technology concepts.
• Strong people leadership and coaching skills with the ability to manage multiple strategic and operational priorities.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, SOX requirements, and accounting principles applicable to AP processes.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid / Flexible working conditions
• Normal office working conditions
• Occasional travel to stores, distribution centers, and other business locations

Physical Requirements

• Sitting
• Standing (not walking)
• Walking
• Lifting up to 10 pounds

Disclaimer

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. A team member should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.