Accounts Payable Team Leader

Accounts Payable Team Leader

This newly created role offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing Accounts Payable team while driving process excellence and delivering impactful financial outcomes across Australasia.

About the Role

Reporting to the Finance Controller, you will take ownership of the end-to-end Accounts Payable function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing of high-volume supplier transactions across multiple business units.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will guide a small team while remaining actively involved in day-to-day operations. You will play a key role in strengthening financial controls, improving processes, and driving efficiencies, as well as building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

You will thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can roll up your sleeves and contribute operationally, while also providing leadership and direction. The team culture is collaborative and close-knit, with a strong emphasis on support, respect, and open communication. The role offers a high degree of trust and accountability, with clear ownership of priorities.

What You Will Do:

• Lead day-to-day Accounts Payable operations, ensuring timely and accurate invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations

• Manage weekly and monthly payment runs in line with agreed terms

• Oversee supplier master data and ensure strong governance practices

• Monitor AP ageing and resolve outstanding items proactively

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of four, fostering accountability and collaboration

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and financial reporting standards

• Support month-end close activities, including reconciliations and accruals

• Act as a key point of contact for suppliers and internal stakeholders, resolving queries and disputes

• Partner with Finance, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to optimize processes

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including automation and ERP (SAP) enhancements

• Track and improve key performance metrics such as invoice cycle time and payment accuracy

Who You Are:

You are a detail-oriented finance professional with a collaborative mindset and a passion for continuous improvement. You bring strong leadership capability and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

• 5 years’ experience in Accounts Payable or transactional finance roles

• Proven experience leading or supervising a team

• Strong ERP experience (SAP preferred)

• Solid understanding of financial controls and accounting principles

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

• High attention to detail with the ability to manage competing deadlines

• A proactive, service-oriented approach with a focus on outcomes

• Adaptable and open to change, with a continuous improvement mindset

Nice to have:

• Professional certification such as CAPP or APM

What We Can Offer You:

Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.

Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You With Us

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