Lead - Procure to Pay

Job description

Company Description

Organizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of “solutions” that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done.

There’s another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.

Freshworks Inc. builds uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional employee and customer experiences. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, helping businesses reduce complexity, lower cost-to-serve, and deliver faster, more human support through enterprise-grade yet easy-to-use CX and IT solutions. Nearly 75,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks to power their Employee Experience (EX) and Customer Experience (CX) operations.

Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Job Description

We’re looking for a high-impact AP Lead to own and scale global Accounts Payable operations. This role goes beyond transaction processing — you will drive automation, controls, stakeholder experience, and operational excellence across the invoice-to-pay lifecycle. You’ll partner closely with Finance, Procurement, Tax, Treasury, and Systems to build a world-class AP function.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end AP operations across geographies: invoice intake, 2/3-way match, approvals, payments, and vendor experience
• Drive SLA adherence, reduce invoice aging, and improve cycle time through proactive follow-ups and process design
• Act as the primary escalation owner for complex vendor, business, and banking issues
• Lead global payment runs (ACH, Wire, SEPA, international payments) and manage wire returns and bank queries
• Own vendor master data governance (bank validation, tax compliance, duplicates, SOX controls)
• Partner with IT/Systems on automation (OCR/ML accuracy, workflow optimization, system integrations)
• Own AP metrics and dashboards; present insights and risks to Finance leadership
• Lead continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and SOP standardization
• Play a key role in transformation initiatives (I2P, vendor portal, Brex, Zip, automation roadmap)
• Coach and develop AP analysts; build scalable operating models

Qualifications

• 9–12+ years of progressive AP experience in a global, high-volume environment
• Strong hands-on experience with ERP (ZIP/NetSuite preferred) and AP automation tools
• Proven experience managing stakeholders across Finance, Procurement, Tax, IT, and Treasury
• Deep understanding of PO / Non-PO processing, 2-way / 3-way match, accruals, FX, and controls
• Experience driving process improvement, automation, and change management
• Strong ownership mindset with ability to lead without authority
• Excellent communication and escalation management skills

Additional Information

At Freshworks, we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion, welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.