Group Manager-PTP SME

Introduction

We are looking for an experienced Finance Transformation Leader with a focus on Procure to Pay (P2P) / Accounts Payable (AP) to lead efforts in process optimization, AI-driven automation, and strategic efficiency improvements. This position demands a combination of value enablement, execution capabilities, stakeholder collaboration, and transformational leadership to implement AI-enhanced financial solutions while maintaining uninterrupted business operations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive P2P domain knowledge along with practical expertise in leveraging Generative AI, Agentic AI, and intelligent automation technologies across the AP value chain.

Required Professional and Technical Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of P2P / AP processes, procurement finance, and shared services frameworks
• Consulting experience in finance transformation, AI-driven automation, and process reengineering.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders within finance, operations, and procurement sectors.
• Practical experience with ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, Workday) and AI-native AP automation solutions.
• Competence in designing AI solutions from proof of concept to large-scale deployment in BPO settings.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to quantify and articulate AI-generated cost efficiencies and straight-through processing (STP) enhancements.
• Outstanding communication skills – capable of translating AI strategies into actionable financial insights for executive audiences.
  
  

Your Role And Responsibilities

• Strategic Finance & AI Transformation
• Create and implement a roadmap for AP process transformation that integrates AI, automation, and analytics throughout the P2P lifecycle.
• Identify and prioritize AI use cases related to invoice processing, exception management, vendor master governance, and payment optimization.
• Develop Target Operating Models that incorporate AI Agents, co-pilots, and intelligent workflows as standard operational elements.
• Advocate for Lean, Six Sigma, and AI-augmented methodologies to enhance operational excellence in AP processes.
• Assist in new solution development through sole source, RFP, and renewal processes, including AI-enhanced value propositions.
• AI & Technology Leadership in P2P
• Manage the comprehensive deployment of AI across the P2P landscape, including Generative AI for invoice extraction, AI-driven exception triage, and predictive payment analytics.
• Guide the implementation of Agentic AI workflows (e.g., Microsoft Copilot Studio, IBM watsonx) to automate recurring AP tasks like intercompany billing, PO matching, and payment processing.
• Assess and deploy AP automation tools, including RPA, AI-native platforms (Hypatos, Kofax, Esker), and S/4HANA intelligent automation features.
• Oversee AI model performance, manage hallucination risks, and establish exception escalation protocols in active AP settings.
• Facilitate the scaling of AI solutions from proof of concept to production, including Smart Billing AI Assistants and Vendor Master AI cleansing tools.
• Identify and promote unique AI solutions that enhance IBM's competitive edge in F&A BPO.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management
• Build robust relationships with senior finance executives, CPOs, and external partners to align AP transformation and AI integration objectives.
• Collaborate with global finance teams to ensure standardization, compliance, and AI governance across international payment regulations.
• Lead negotiations with ERP vendors, AI platform providers, and financial institutions to deliver cost-effective, future-ready payment solutions.
• Operational Excellence & Compliance
• Establish and monitor KPIs for AP performance, including metrics for AI impact: touchless invoice rates, AI exception resolution rates, straight-through processing (STP) percentages, and cost-per-invoice.
• Ensure compliance with financial governance policies, regulatory frameworks (GST, e-invoicing mandates, Peppol), and AI ethics standards.
• Conduct regular audits to evaluate fraud risks, AP controls, and the integrity of AI models.
• Develop additional offerings to provide incremental AI-enabled value to client engagements.
• Consulting & Change Management
• Propel AP process enhancement initiatives utilizing AI diagnostics, process mining, and intelligent benchmarking.
• Formulate a structured change management strategy that addresses AI adoption readiness, workforce reskilling, and digital trust building.
• Facilitate training and upskilling workshops on AI-augmented AP tools, Copilot/Claude usage, and Prompt Engineering for finance teams.
• Leadership & Communication
• Lead a high-performing finance transformation team, guiding professionals in AP strategy and AI-enabled service delivery.
• Present insights on AP transformation, AI business cases, and financial impact analyses to senior leadership and board members.
• Promote a culture of continuous innovation, AI exploration, cost efficiency, and accountability within finance operations.
  
  

AI Skills & Competency Framework – P2P

AI Skill Domain

Required Proficiency / Tools

Generative AI for AP

Prompt engineering for invoice extraction and exception resolution; experience with LLM-based AP copilots (Microsoft Copilot, Claude, GPT-4)

Agentic AI & Automation

Design and govern AI Agents for end-to-end AP tasks; familiarity with Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Automate, Claude

Intelligent Document Processing

AI-OCR, IDP platforms (Opentext, ABBYY, Kofax); structured/unstructured invoice data extraction

AI-Augmented Analytics

Predictive payment analytics, supplier risk scoring, anomaly detection; Power BI / Tableau with AI overlays

Process Mining & AI Diagnostics

Celonis, SAP Signavio, or equivalent for AI-driven P2P bottleneck identification and remediation

AI Governance & Responsible AI

Model risk management, AI audit trails, hallucination controls, GDPR/data privacy in AI-enabled AP workflows

ERP-Native AI Capabilities

SAP S/4HANA Intelligent Invoice Management, SAP Cash Application, Oracle AI for Payables, Workday AI features

AI Change Management

Workforce reskilling strategies for AI adoption; AI literacy programme design for AP/P2P teams

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• MBA, CA, or CPA qualification will be an advantage.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma, AI for Finance, Microsoft Copilot Studio, or IBM watsonx.
• Experience in global finance transformation and shared service centre environments.
• Familiarity with e-invoicing regulatory mandates (India GST, EU Peppol, ZATCA) and their AI compliance implications.