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Description Lead Finance Specialist - Accounts Payable Location: Chennai, India Required Language: English Employment Type: Full-Time Seniority Level: Associate Travel Mode: Moderate About Us Buckman is a privately held, global specialty chemical company with headquarters in Memphis, TN, USA, committed to safeguarding the environment, maintaining safety in the workplace, and promoting sustainable development. Buckman works proactively and collaboratively with its worldwide customers in pulp, paper, leather, and water treatment to deliver exceptional service and innovative specialty chemical solutions to help boost productivity, reduce risk, improve product quality, and provide a measurable return on investment. Buckman is in the middle of a digital transformation of its businesses and is focused on building the capabilities and tools in support of this. Purpose Accounts Payable Subject Matter Expert (SME) with deep expertise in AP processes, automation, and close collaboration with IT teams. This role will serve as a key resource for resolving complex AP challenges, implementing best practices, and driving continuous process improvements while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and financial regulations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for optimizing AP operations, spearheading automation initiatives, and ensuring seamless integration with IT systems to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness Qualifications & Experience ๏ Minimum 10 +yearsโ experience in the entire AP process. ๏ Proven experience in implementing automation tools (e.g., RPA, AI, or OCR). ๏ Proven track record of managing complex AP operations and implementing process improvements. ๏ In-depth knowledge of AP processes and best practices. ๏ Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. ๏ Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. ๏ Mandate SAP Exposure Key Responsibilities Process Ownership & Documentation ๏ Serve as the subject matter expert for end-to-end AP processes: invoice processing, vendor payments, and reconciliations. ๏ Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for AP workflows, controls, and procedures. ๏ Ensure adherence to corporate policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements. Issue Resolution & Risk Mitigation ๏ Manage and resolve escalated AP issues including invoice discrepancies, vendor disputes, and payment delays. ๏ Proactively identify process risks and implement mitigation strategies. ๏ Serve as the primary point of contact for audit queries and ensure audit readiness. Stakeholder Management & Communication ๏ Partner with cross-functional teams including Procurement, Finance, and IT to streamline and optimize AP operations. ๏ Act as a liaison between the AP team and external vendors to ensure efficient issue resolution and positive vendor relationships. ๏ Promote a culture of customer service excellence within GBS. Team Development & Capability Building ๏ Mentor, coach, and train AP team members to enhance functional knowledge and performance. ๏ Conduct training sessions on AP systems, policies, and best practices. ๏ Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture focused on continuous learning. Process Improvement & Automation ๏ Lead automation initiatives using RPA, OCR, and AI tools to reduce manual efforts and increase efficiency. ๏ Identify and implement process improvement opportunities to streamline AP operations. ๏ Collaborate with digital transformation teams to evaluate and deploy new technologies. Data Analytics & Reporting ๏ Develop and present dashboards and reports on key AP metrics (e.g., aging, DPO, cycle time, accuracy). ๏ Provide actionable insights from AP trends and KPIs to support strategic decisions. ๏ Ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with tax regulations and internal controls. Compliance & Risk Prevention ๏ Design and enforce controls to prevent duplicate payments, fraud, and data inconsistencies. ๏ Manage vendors master data integrity and secure payment processes. ๏ Conduct regular reviews of controls and update them as needed to address emerging risks. Leadership Competencies We are looking for a leader who demonstrates the following core competencies: Drives Results ๏ Consistently delivers high-quality outcomes, even under challenging circumstances. Sets clear goals and pursues them with a strong sense of urgency and resilience. Collaborates ๏ Builds strong partnerships with internal teams and external stakeholders. Promotes open communication and works cooperatively to achieve common goals. Optimizes Work Processes ๏ Understands and applies efficient and effective processes. Continuously identifies opportunities for improvement and leads initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste. Ensures Accountability ๏ Takes ownership of commitments and holds team members responsible for delivering results. Tracks progress, addresses performance gaps, and celebrates successes. Directs Work ๏ Provides clear direction, sets priorities, and delegates effectively. Removes roadblocks to empower the team and ensure smooth execution of daily operations. Show more Show less
