Procure to Pay Lead

Lead - Procure to Pay

Company Description

Organizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of “solutions” that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done.

There’s another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.

At Freshworks, we build uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional customer and employee experiences. Our enterprise-grade solutions are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, making employees more effective and organizations more productive. Over 72,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks’ customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) software to fuel customer loyalty and service efficiency. And, over 4,500 Freshworks employees make this possible, all around the world.

Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Job Description

At Freshworks, our rapid global expansion requires a financial infrastructure that is as agile and innovative as our software. As the Lead for Procure to Pay (P2P), you will be the operational architect and primary steward of our global purchasing and payables ecosystem.

You will lead a team of analysts, partner closely with Accounting, FP&A, and business leaders, and take ownership of the overarching P2P strategy. If you excel at untangling complex financial workflows, driving ERP automation, and mentoring high-performing teams in a fast-paced SaaS environment, you will thrive in this role.

The Impact You Will Create

• Architecting Global Scale: You will own the end-to-end P2P lifecycle across multiple global entities. By standardizing processes and establishing rigorous SLAs, you will ensure our financial operations scale seamlessly as we drive toward our next major revenue milestones.

• Process Transformation & Automation: You will act as the business owner for our P2P systems (e.g., Coupa, NetSuite). You will design and implement "touchless" invoice processing and automated approval matrices, significantly reducing manual interventions and cycle times.

• Cash Flow & Working Capital Optimization: Partnering directly with Treasury and FP&A, you will define global payment strategies, optimize vendor payment terms, and ensure precise cash forecasting and AP accruals.

• Fostering a Culture of Compliance: You will build a fortress of financial integrity. By designing and enforcing robust SOX controls, global tax compliance (TDS, GST, W-8/W-9), and vendor risk management frameworks, you will safeguard the company's assets.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: You will be a force multiplier for the Finance team, coaching and developing Senior and Junior Analysts, elevating their technical skills, and building a world-class P2P function.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Direct the daily operations of the global P2P function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of high-volume Purchase Requisitions (PRs), Purchase Orders (POs), and complex global invoices.

• Month-End Close Excellence: Oversee the AP month-end close process. Review and approve complex AP accruals, GL reconciliations, and variance analysis, ensuring absolute accuracy before handing off to the core Accounting team.

• System Strategy & Optimization: Serve as the primary P2P business lead for ERP and procurement system enhancements. Partner with the Finance Systems team to design, test, and roll out new Coupa/NetSuite modules, integrations, and automation tools.

• Executive Stakeholder Partnering: Act as the ultimate escalation point for critical vendor disputes and executive inquiries. Educate and align VP and C-level stakeholders on procurement policies, budget discipline, and spending trends.

• Audit & SOX Ownership: Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors regarding the AP/P2P function. Design, document, and continuously test internal controls to ensure 100% SOX compliance.

• KPI & Metrics Management: Develop, track, and report on key performance indicators (e.g., Days Payable Outstanding, Straight-Through Processing rate, cost per invoice) to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience: 7 to 10+ years of progressive experience in P2P, Accounts Payable, or Finance Operations, with at least 2-3 years in a direct leadership or supervisory role within a global, high-growth SaaS or technology company.

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. (CPA, CA, or CMA preferred but not mandatory).

• Systems Mastery: Expert-level, hands-on experience with enterprise-grade systems like Coupa (highly preferred), Oracle NetSuite, SAP, and Concur.

• Global Accounting Acumen: Deep understanding of US GAAP, cross-border payments, multi-currency reconciliations, and international withholding taxes.

• Change Management: Proven track record of leading system implementations or major process transformations within the finance department.

• Leadership: Exceptional ability to lead with empathy and candor, holding teams accountable to high standards while fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Skill Inventory

Core Technical Skills

• Global P2P Architecture & Process Design

• Advanced AP Accruals & Month-End Close

• Working Capital & DPO Optimization

• SOX Compliance & Audit Management

• Cross-Border Taxation & Multi-Currency Payments

Systems & Tools

• Procurement/ERP: Coupa (Super-user/Admin level), NetSuite, Concur

• Analytics: Advanced Excel, BI Dashboards (Tableau/PowerBI exposure is a plus)

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Team Building & Mentorship

• Executive Stakeholder Management

• Change Management & Transformation

• Strategic Negotiation & Vendor Relations

Additional Information

At Freshworks, we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion, welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Experience Level

Senior Level