Accounts (AP/AR) - Assistant Manager - Shared Services

About ZF Group ZF Group was founded on 20 August 1915 and is a global technology leader headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany. With 161 production sites in 30 countries and over 161,000 employees (2024) Globally. ZF specializes in driveline, chassis, and safety systems. Job Summary: We are seeking a detail-oriented, proactive, and experienced AP/AR Professional to join our Global Accounts Payable/Receivable Shared Service team. In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end AP/AR operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing of invoices maintaining the quality. Youll also play a key role in team development, cross-functional collaboration, and driving continuous process improvement. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a passion for numbers, and love solving problems while mentoring others, wed love to hear from you! Key Responsibilities: Team Leadership & Development Manage and mentor the large AP team (25+ HC) to deliver results in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Facilitate team cross-training, promote skill development, and build career development plans. Monitor and improve team performance through structured feedback and coaching. Lead team-based initiatives, such as dispute management and process standardization. Stakeholder Collaboration Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders across procurement, finance, and operations. Act as the key contact point for all AP-related escalations and cross-functional coordination. Transition & Project Management Lead or support the transition of new AP/AR processes into the shared service environment. Ensure a smooth handover with proper documentation, training, and stabilization. Invoice Processing & Validation Perform scanning and validation of incoming invoices to ensure they meet internal standards. Accurately process vendor invoices, ensuring 3-way matching with purchase orders and goods receipts. Compliance & Controls Ensure all AP/AR activities are compliant with company policies, internal controls, and applicable tax and regulatory guidelines. Conduct regular Quality Control (QC) checks to maintain process accuracy and reliability. Issue Resolution & Vendor Management Address vendor inquiries and resolve invoice discrepancies promptly and professionally. Oversee dispute resolution processes and ensure timely closure of open items. Reporting & Analysis Prepare and analyze AP/AR reports including aging analysis, and KPI dashboards. Conduct root cause analysis on recurring errors and recommend corrective actions. Systems & Tools Demonstrate strong proficiency in AP/AR systems such as SAP, Blackline, and Microsoft Office tools. Ensure proper usage of automation tools and drive system optimization where possible. Qualifications & Skills: Preferred qualifications CA/CMA (Fully Qualified / Inter). 10+ years of progressive experience in Accounts Payable process including Team management responsibility, with a focus on dealing with overseas stakeholders in a shared service or GBS environments. Proven experience in large team management (30+ persons), process transition, and AP reporting. Strong analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in SAP, Blackline, and MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive continuous improvement Why Join Us? Be part of a dynamic and fast-growing finance team. Opportunity to lead impactful projects and contribute to global process excellence. Access to a collaborative work culture that values innovation, performance, and development.