Lead Accounts Payable Operations - Pharma Industry

Job Title : F&A - Lead Accounts Payable

Job Location : Azamabad, Near RTC Cross Roads, Hyderabad

Role Overview:

The Accounts Payable Leader will be responsible for overseeing and managing the company's payables function, ensuring timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices, adherence to statutory compliances, and maintenance of strong vendor relationships. This role will drive process efficiency, compliance, and internal controls while supporting the overall working capital management of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accounts Payable Operations

• Lead and supervise the end-to-end Accounts Payable (AP) process for raw materials, consumables, services, and capital purchases.
• Ensure timely processing, validation, and posting of vendor invoices in line with company policies and approvals.
• Monitor payment cycles and ensure timely disbursement of vendor payments as per agreed terms.
• Resolution of discrepancies with Procurement and Stores and other departments as required.

2. Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with Indian statutory requirements including GST, TDS, PF/ESI (if applicable to contract labor), and other relevant laws.
• Maintain proper documentation for audits (statutory, internal, tax, GST).
• Implement and monitor internal financial controls, Delegation of Authority (DOA), and SOPs related to payables.

3. Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure smooth operations.
• Review payment terms and co-ordinate with SCM to maximise the savings.
• Resolve vendor queries and disputes regarding payments, deductions, or rejections.
• Periodically review vendor reconciliations and ageing reports.

4. Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare and present periodic AP reports like, ageing analysis, Open GRs, Open vendor advances, average credit period, payments analysis, advance analysis, Deviations from budgeted procurement etc.
• Highlight overdue and disputed cases to management.
• Track and report savings from early payment discounts, if applicable.

5. Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify opportunities to improve AP efficiency through automation
• Support digitization initiatives for invoice processing and vendor communications.

6. Team Leadership

• Lead, train, and mentor the AP team to ensure high performance and accuracy.
• Ensure adequate backup, succession planning, and adherence to deadlines.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Chartered Accountant

• Experience: 8-12 years of experience in Accounts Payable, with at least 34 years in a supervisory/lead role, preferably in a manufacturing setup.

• Technical Skills:

• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (Preferably SAP).

• Good knowledge of GST, TDS, and other indirect tax compliances.

• Proficiency in MS Excel and reporting tools.

• Behavioural Skills:

• Strong leadership and people management abilities.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Good communication and vendor negotiation skills.

• Detail-oriented with high integrity and accountability.