Senior Manager

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

We are currently seeking an experienced finance professional to join our Finance Shared Service Center in the capacity of Senior Manager - I2P.

**Overview of the role**
To deliver world class service excellence to both internal AFG stakeholders (Procurement, Finance etc.) & external stakeholders (suppliers, banks). Drive process innovation/automation, standardization, cost optimization, motivate & guide large workforce. Leverage & build banking relationships across the country.

**What you will do**
- Provide day-to-day direction and leadership to entire Accounts Payable team and promote employee growth
- Create an environment and embed a culture that fosters business process improvement continuously. Identify and recommend necessary improvements in AP processes and ensure deployment.
- Drive initiatives to create high performance teams. Monitor and manage performance measures as defined by the Service Management Framework.
- Provide extraordinary customer service in addition to budgetary accountability.
- Work in collaboration with wider finance and corporate teams to ensure business requirements and corporate policies are adhered to. Drive Group Policy compliance impacting AFG stakeholders as well as suppliers to drive controls whilst promoting growth.
- Responsible for the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all AP SSC activities.
- Maintain strong customer relationships to ensure immediate resolution of problems as well as being responsive to future needs; Manage customer problem resolution and escalation. Meet or exceed agreed service level agreements. Define SOW to strengthen a transparent RACI.
- Control costs by managing the overall budget of I2P cost centre and team, monitor savings objectives.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders and within the Governance Framework assist in the negotiation of service level agreements
- Ensure internal controls are executed and maintained, coordinate audit and compliance activities
- Coach and develop talent within I2P team, drive superior performance from all team members
- Influence upstream business processes impacting downstream I2P processes for driving efficiencies and controls around the end to end P2P process
- Drive automation around the I2P processes resulting in significant productivity improvement and cost save.
- Work closely with Group Treasury team to support implementation of key transformation initiatives such as SWIFT, in house banking and Supply Chain Financing

**Required skills to be successful**
- Additional qualifications in IFRS and LEAN/ 6 Sigma preferred.
- Experience of SAP and related financial systems is highly preferred.
- Understanding of SSC best practices
- Ability to achieve results in a dynamic, consistently changing, and demanding environment
- People management and development skills
- Knowledge and practical experience of change management models and practices
- Excellent written and oral communication skills

**What equips you for the role**
- Recognized professional accounting qualification.
- 10-15 years in managing finance shared service center or equivalent.
- Implementation of setting up a Finance SSC and experience in creating an environment of continuous improvement (CI) framework embedding CI focus and culture in teams.