Head of Purchase-2-Pay Operations

Job description

Operational leadership for Purchase ‑ 2 ‑ Pay delivery Ensure stable, efficient and high‑quality execution of end‑to‑end P2P activities across the region (purchase requisition handling, purchase order creation, goods receipt coordination, invoice processing, payment execution and travel & expense management). Ensure consistent execution of regional P2P activities in line with global standards and operational frameworks. Translate P2P process requirements, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into clear operational targets and objectives for the regional P2P process leads. Manage regional capacity, workload allocation and prioritization across PO Management, Invoice Management, Payments Management and Travel & Expense Management. Oversee regional P2P service performance and manage escalations related to supplier payment issues, invoice discrepancies, blocked invoices and approval delays. Ensure seamless P2P process execution through close coordination with Procurement, Book-2-close incl. Treasury & Tax and business requesters. Implementation of process design and standards Ensure the implementation of the global P2P process design, procedures and controls defined by the Global Head of Purchase-2-Pay and P2P Service Line Process Management. Ensure adherence to global P2P standards, work instructions, internal controls and approval matrices in day‑to‑day regional execution. Drive compliance with P2P‑specific requirements including tax documentation, supplier data accuracy and payment authorization governance. Ensure regional alignment with the global P2P process architecture and proactively provide feedback on feasibility, improvement needs and local constraints. Performance, quality and continuous improvement Monitor regional P2P Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and control indicators and initiate corrective and preventive actions where required. Provide structured feedback to global process management on operational feasibility, pain points and opportunities for improvement. Support the rollout of updated P2P processes, workflow systems, automation solutions and digital tools into the regional operational line. Lead (cross-)regional continuous improvement initiatives to enhance invoice accuracy, processing speed, automation rates and end‑to‑end P2P efficiency and quality. Team leadership and people development Lead and develop the regional PO Management Lead, Invoice Management Lead, Payments Lead and Travel & Expense Management Lead ensuring coordinated leadership across all P2P activities. Provide coaching, direction and performance management to the P2P process leads to ensure high‑quality service delivery and operational excellence. Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement and service orientation aligned with Omya’s values. Ensure training, certification and professional development opportunities for regional P2P leads and their teams. Stakeholder management and communication Collaborate closely with the Global Head of P2P, the Global Heads of P2P Operations and P2P Process Management to ensure alignment between (cross-)regional delivery and global strategy. Engage with key stakeholders across Procurement, Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources (HR), Sales and other OS&S service lines, group and in country organizations to ensure coordinated (cross-)regional P2P service delivery. Act as the regional escalation point for P2P service performance, invoice delays, payment risks and process deviations. Ensure transparent communication of regional P2P performance, risks, improvement initiatives and operational achievements. Education University degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering or related field. Experience Minimum 8–10 years of relevant working experience in an operational or function‑related position. Significant experience in leading teams and managing complex, multi‑location operational environments. Extensive experience in end‑to‑end Purchase‑to‑Pay processes including Purchase Order Management, Invoice Management, Payments and internal control systems. Knowledge and skills Strong track record in operational service delivery and performance management. Deep understanding of P2P workflows including purchasing, goods receipt, invoice verification and payment processes. Proficiency in P2P systems such as SAP MM/FI, eProcurement, Vendor Invoice management tools, banking tools and Accounts Payable automation tools. Ability to interpret financial and procurement data, assess risks and analyze operational performance. Strong understanding of Accounts Payable accounting principles, accruals, GR/IR and period‑end closing requirements. Strong cross‑functional collaboration with Procurement. Finance and suppliers High attention to detail for purchase order documentation, invoice data and financial posting accuracy. Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities. Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills across functions and geographies. Knowledge of compliance requirements for purchasing controls, invoice handling and financial documentation. Other requirements Excellent command of both oral and written English. Knowledge of compliance requirements for purchasing controls, invoice handling, international banking and financial documentation. Ability to handle confidential supplier and financial data securely. Experience in Key Performance Indicator (KPI) monitoring, operational performance tracking, and audit preparation. POSITION SCOPE Reporting Line(s) Solid line(s) to: Global Head of Purchase-2-Pay Number of direct reports: D epends on the area Performance Measures Performance measures will be defined on team specific service obligations. Working Relationships Internal contacts Global Head of of Purchase-2-Pay Head of Process Management P2P Team Lead Transportation & Logistics Purchase Order Management (depending on region) Team Lead(s) General PO Management Team Lead(s) Invoice Management Team Lead(s) Payments Management Team Lead(s) Travel & expense Management (depending on region) External contacts Service and outsourcing partners supporting P2P operations Vendors of procurement, finance and P2P systems Key suppliers, banks and external partners involved in purchase orders, invoice issue resolution and payment processing