Manager, Accounts Payable

JOB TITLE:                           Manager, Accounts Payable

LOCATION:                  IGS Guadalajara

REPORTS TO:                  Sr. Manager, Procure to Pay

The Manager, Accounts Payable will oversee Accounts Payable,  Card and Concur Administration activities for LATAM,  leading the Guadalajara IGS team dedicated to support the region. The Manager will help execute the AP strategy to ensure delivery of high-quality service to our customers, aligned with Ingredion’s Customer Experience commitments (responsive, empathetic, proactive, and innovative).

This role will be leading a large team including three regional Supervisors who are responsible for coordinate daily payment files to vendors, manage payment advances, handle payment problems resolutions, and processing a high volume and complex invoicing environment ensuring that all accounts payable data is entered and processed in a timely and accurate manner.

The Manager, Accounts Payable will act as key business partner to the procurement organization in addition to the Global PTP Process Owner and other business stakeholders such as Accounting, Tax, Treasury and Controlling teams among other. Will also manage projects related to process improvements and automation besides supporting employee career development and serve as a point of escalation to troubleshoot and quickly resolve customer issues.

If you thrive in a dynamic environment where collaboration and continuous enhancement are valued, this position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to our organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Accounts Payable Processes: Oversee, guide, and direct the end-to-end delivery of Accounts Payable operational services supporting the country to ensure efficient operations.

• Manage the Accounts Payable team for LATAM, including 3 Supervisors and +30 employees.
• Oversee invoice Data Capture & Exceptions management processes including AP Support functions , Card and Concur Administration
• Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the entire A/P process as it relates to vendor payment, processing of purchase orders, receiving invoices, payment of invoices and communication with vendors and internal customers.
• Manage all aspects of ongoing activities and deadlines
• Support internal customer inquiries escalated as needed with a sense of urgency
• Hire, Train and Develop Team, especially in the areas of technology capabilities and skills
• Develop Capability and Skill development plans
• Provide training to new employees and system users on Policies, SoPs, and Controls
• Maintain high level of Customer Service
• Strong ability to set clear goals and manage a high performing team
• Ensure that all Monthly Close Processes are completed accurately and timely for procurement & Accounts Payable process including any required accruals or escalation of risks.
• Oversee the corporate card program, including card issuance, transaction monitoring, and statement reconciliation

Enable Accounts Payable Strategy: Collaborate with the Accounts Payable Associate Manager and Procure to Pay Associate Sr. Manager to enhance Accounts Payable strategies aligned with the business needs, Customer experience, and the work and workforce at Ingredion.

• Collaborate with Key Business Partners and report on monthly performance
• Identify issues and process improvements for Steering committee review
• Continually implement enhancements to further improve and streamline processes, including proper testing and communication to Leadership
• Suggest adjustments to improve data quality and processing efficiency, including enhancements to the import and export of data between various applications
• Expand and improve Accounts Payable automation activities through ESKER.

Monitor SLAs and Reporting: Ensure adherence to Service Level Agreements, produce and review reports on performance, and identify and track any system, process, or performance issues. Escalate issues as necessary for timely resolution.

• Ensure that all risk mitigating controls are completed and addressed.
• Conduct all daily, weekly, and monthly activities to drive compliance to internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Support internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation and explanations and working with Team on remediations as required.
• Enforce and maintain SOX compliance for policies and procedures.
• Prepare, Analyze & present the Monthly Operating Reviews (MORs) with Key Business Partners with the goal of reviewing all performance measures and ensures the attainment of the SLAs
• Generate accounts payable reports as required.

Process Improvement and Project Management: Foster a culture that values critical thinking and problem-solving, encouraging transformation and continuous improvement. This involves identifying opportunities to improve processes through RPAs, lean practices, and six sigma actions focusing on quality, efficiency, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness and standardization. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery of targeted results.

Stakeholder Relationships: Develop and nurture key relationships with GBS stakeholders such as procurement finance and corporate, defining expected outcomes, identifying issues, and facilitating resolution through corrective action, communication, and collaboration to improve service level and drive strategic business growth.

Team Leadership and Development: Support the career development of employees in the IGS Guadalajara Account Payable team. Assess training needs, coach for performance improvement, and facilitate additional assignments and rotations to deepen employees' understanding of processes. Actively develop customer service knowledge and abilities within team by identifying leadership and growth goals for key talent.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Accounts Payable Expertise: Strong knowledge of the policies, procedures, and controls of Procure to Pay, including a minimum of ten (10) years of similar experience with at least five (5) years in a people management role.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or a similar quantitative discipline (economics, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science, business administration, etc.).
• Business Acumen: Solid understanding of accounting, business, and financial concepts.
• Design Thinking Skills: Strong systems knowledge and passion for advancing technology integration to automate processes with proven technology expertise within the P2P value chain.
• Analytical Skills: Proven ability to independently analyze complex problems, research complex issues, draw appropriate conclusions, and develop and implement innovative solutions.
• Influencing Skills: Exhibit influencing skills and collaborate effectively across multiple levels of the enterprise to produce positive business outcomes with Customers and internal Business Partners.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Adapt and remain flexible in dealing with evolving business needs. Effectively manage ambiguity.
• Prioritization and Time Management: Ability to prioritize and manage competing requests and priorities.
• Team Management: Ability to manage team members to achieve departmental goals.  Proven skill in promoting harmonious working relationships in a team environment.
• Talent Culture: Promote a talent culture that values superior talent, drives performance, coaches transparently, and builds strong teams globally.  Continuous improvement attitude to seek out and implement best practices, lead projects, and meet all deadlines.
• Results Focus: Highly organized with a high degree of attention to details.  Push to drive personal and organizational results, make timely decisions, and benefit Ingredion globally.
• Shared Services Environment: Prefer prior experience in a Global Shared Services environment.
• Computer Proficiency: Strong computer skills including SAP, CONCUR, ARIBA, ESKER, Microsoft Word, Excel (advanced), and experience with new technologies to drive automation.
• Communications:  Excellent communication, customer service and organizational skills.  Exhibit a positive attitude and willingness to interact with Customers and Executive level Business Partners.  Presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate, update, persuade and facilitate discussions with all levels of Management.
• Languages: Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory. Advanced written and spoken Portuguese is desired to facilitate communication with international clients and colleagues. (Fluent will be a +).

Relocation Available?        No

Job Grade:                                    H

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Company Background:

Ingredion is a Fortune 500 provider of ingredient solutions that helps nourish, comfort, sustain, and delight people around the world. Ingredion’s wide range of ingredient solutions is strategically designed to address changing consumer trends and preferences. Our specialty portfolio includes starch-based texturizers, clean and simple ingredients, plant-based proteins, sugar reduction and specialty sweeteners, and food systems. Our innovative ingredient solutions are used by consumers in everyday products, from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals. And we do it all in a planet-friendly sustainable manner.

We bring the potential of people, nature, and technology together to make life better.

That’s our purpose. We are all IN to make life better!

Every day, Ingredion employees bring their skills, creativity, and passion together to deliver ingredient solutions that enhance people’s lives. We are innovators who combine the power of technology with the best of nature to delight our customers and consumers. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in ethics, safety, quality, and sustainability. Unlocking the potential of people, nature, and technology to make life better is what drives us in every aspect of our business.

If you are interested in making life better, we are all IN to learn more about you! A bit about what you can expect from the employee experience at Ingredion:

The chance to make a difference

No matter where you work in the company, you’ll have an opportunity to make life better… for our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world.

Passionate people, motivated to excel

Our highly talented people have a passion for learning and achievement and are driven by our inspiring purpose to make life better and our core values: Care First, Be Preferred, Everyone Belongs, Innovate Boldly, and Owner’s Mindset.

A warm, welcoming environment

At Ingredion, everyone belongs! We embrace diversity and foster an inclusive work environment where individuals feel supported and enabled to contribute their very best every day.

A place where you can grow personally and professionally

We believe everyone has great potential, and we strive to nurture that potential into great personal and professional achievements.

An environment that enables innovation and collaboration

We are creating the conditions that inspire and enable innovation - in our products and services, as well as in how we do our work day-to-day.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country