The AP Team Lead will manage and scale the accounts-payable function to ensure accurate, timely and compliant payment of suppliers and service providers. The role requires strong controls, supplier relationship management, cash-flow coordination and continuous process improvement to protect the company’s working capital and supplier relationships.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the AP team; allocate responsibilities, set performance targets and coach staff to meet SLAs.
• Manage end-to-end invoice processing: receipt, validation, three-way matching (where applicable), approvals and timely payment runs.
• Own supplier reconciliations and resolve supplier queries and disputes promptly.
• Coordinate payment schedules and cash-flow forecasting with Treasury to optimise payment timing without damaging supplier relationships.
• Maintain AP controls and compliance (VAT, withholding tax, supplier onboarding checks, POPIA) and ensure audit readiness.
• Process month-end accruals, prepayments and supplier balances; deliver accurate AP reporting to Finance at close.
• Improve AP processes and automation (e-invoicing, OCR, workflow approvals) to reduce manual effort and errors.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and with Procurement to resolve invoice disputes and improve onboarding.

KPIs / success measures

• Invoice processing cycle time (invoice-to-pay).
• Payment accuracy rate and reduction of duplicate/incorrect payments.
• Number and value of unapplied/uncleared supplier items at month-end.
• Timeliness and accuracy of AP month-end close and audit queries.
• Supplier satisfaction (where measured).

Experience, skills & qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in accounts payable or finance operations, with at least 2 years in a supervisory/team lead role.
• Strong practical knowledge of AP controls, VAT and payment processes; experience with supplier onboarding and tax compliance.
• ERP experience required (NetSuite desirable) and strong Excel skills.
• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, process orientation and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.

Reporting lines & relationships

• Reports to: Head of Finance / Finance Manager.
• Direct reports: AP clerks / processors (team size to be defined).
• Key relationships: Procurement, Treasury, Tax, Operations, Suppliers and External Auditors.

Authority

• Operational authority for AP processing and supplier query resolution.
• Authority to initiate payment runs in accordance with treasury schedules and delegated approvals. Specific payment approval limits to be defined by the Group Finance Manager.