This is a key role within the John Crane Mexico Shared Service Centre and is accountable for the leadership and management of the team delivering Accounts Payable services to John Crane Inc., JC Canada, JC Ireland and JC Mexico, in accordance with Service Level Agreements, Quality Standards and Financial Control Requirement They will work closely with senior management, finance teams and procurement teams to ensure invoices and employee expenses are processed and paid promptly and in accordance with the John Crane policies and procedures.
The AP Manager will represent finance with other leaders in the Purchase-to-Pay process to modernize and improve process efficiency and financial controls. This will include the systems or process designs and the subsequent changes, systems testing and business change required. They are also expected to build the capability to deliver Accounts Payable Services and create a high-performing team.
The position holder is required to deliver innovation and continuous improvement to enhance the quality and value for money of the Accounts Payable Services provided, to extend the scope of the services provided in collaboration with the UK based Centre of Excellence and the India Shared Accounting Service Centre.
Specific Functions, Activities and Responsibilities
Support the Head of India Finance Shared Services to:
- Implement the John Crane Global Finance Shared Services strategy, policies and operating model
- Ensure the successful running of the Mexico Finance Shared Service teams to deliver the services in accordance with the SLAs
- Ensure all services provided are to the required quality and financial control standards
- Lead and drive Knowledge Transfer from local finance teams ensuring services hand over seamlessly without any gaps in service or a reduction in quality
- Monitor compliance and process performance, working with the AP centre of Excellence team, local finance teams, the Internal Controls teams and Internal and External Audit
- Drive process standardisation, harmonisation, automation, excellence and continuous improvement
Accounts Payable Services Activities
- Invoice Processing in SAP, QAD, AS400 and Esker
- Automation of invoice processing in Esker (where applicable)
- Task Management and workload assignment across the AP team
- Management of invoices requiring DoA approval
- Management of invoices set aside / parked prior to posting
- Management of Utility Invoices to ensure no disruption at John Crane sites
- Reconciliation of Direct Debits, P-Card and company paid travel cards
- Undertaking of SES Green Belt Projects to improve process efficiency
Controls and Compliance:
- Aged Creditors
- Vendor Statement Reconciliations
- Reconciliations of Tariff, Duties and VAT payments to the supporting documents provided by foreign forwarders and Government bodies
- Review of GRIR for aged receipts without invoices.
- Intercompany balancing accruals at month-end.
- Month-end accruals
- Other compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements.
Systems and Tools:
- Manage the use of Esker for automation of Invoice Processing.
- Manage the upload of Concur claims to QAD and As400 as well as the SAP Concur Cockpit.
- Manage Group Outlook inboxes for effective invoice receipt and query resolution.
- Maintenance of GL and Cost Centre coding guidance
- Lead the VMD process to ensure accurate vendor bank details, payment methods and other payment details
Communications:
- Collaborate with the local finance teams for correct coding of Non-PO invoices.
- Collaborate with buying teams to ensure accurate matching of invoices to PO line items
- Support the audits undertaken across the organisation.
Team Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development programme for all team members to ensure their skills and behaviours meet and continue to meet John Crane requirements
- To be a role model and promote Smiths Group Values and Leadership Behaviours
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
Process Improvement
- Continuously assess and improve finance and accounting processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy
- Implement automation and technology solutions to reduce manual effort and strengthen financial controls
Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with compliance to Smiths Group and John Crane Policies and to applicable accounting and reporting standards etc.
- Identify and mitigate financial risks while maintaining strong internal controls
Projects
- The Smiths Group and John Crane often undertake change projects to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. This position will be a key stakeholder in ensuring such projects are delivered in accordance with the plans and will be expected to lead related, relevant workstreams