Sr. Director, Financial Operations (AR & AP)

Position Overview

We are seeking a transformational Senior Director, Financial Operations (AR & AP) to lead enterprise‑wide Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable operations across a $2.5B B2B auto parts distribution business.

This role carries a dual mandate: stabilize and optimize core AR and AP operations while modernizing processes, systems, and operating models . The Director will ensure strong controls, predictable execution, and service‑level performance, while driving standardization, automation, and long‑term platform evolution. Today, Accounts Payable operates in Oracle Cloud, while Accounts Receivable remains on a legacy AS400 platform, creating a significant opportunity to improve integration, automation, and efficiency.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on finance operations leader with deep AR/AP expertise, strong ERP fluency, and a proven ability to lead teams through operational and systems change.

This role is both a stabilization and modernization mandate. The Director will ensure operational excellence, strong financial controls, and service-level performance across AR and AP, while leading process standardization, systems optimization, and long-term platform transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations Leadership

• Lead end‑to‑end AR and AP operations, including invoicing, collections, cash application, credit management, vendor management, invoice processing, and disbursements.

• Ensure accurate, timely, and controlled execution in support of month‑end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

• Establish and manage service‑level agreements (SLAs), KPIs, and performance dashboards across AR and AP.

• Drive working capital initiatives, including DSO improvement, cash application effectiveness, and disciplined payables management.

• Maintain strong SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness.

Stabilization & Process Excellence

• Assess current‑state AR and AP processes to identify control gaps, inefficiencies, and operational risk.

• Standardize and document processes across business units and locations.

• Implement best practices in financial operations, including workflow management, exception handling, and centralized governance.

• Build scalable operating models that support continued growth

Systems Optimization & Transformation

• Optimize Oracle Cloud AP functionality to ensure best‑in‑class utilization and adoption.

• Evaluate the AS400‑based AR platform and develop a clear roadmap for modernization, integration, or migration, including third‑party tools (e.g., Billtrust or similar solutions).

• Partner closely with IT to improve systems integration, data quality, reporting, and automation (RPA, AI‑enabled cash application, EDI optimization).

• Lead future‑state AR systems strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture and financial controls.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead and develop a team of AR and AP professionals across multiple locations.

• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.

• Assess talent capabilities, upgrade skill sets where needed, and build bench strength.

• Lead change management efforts tied to process redesign, system implementations, and organizational evolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or MBA a plus

• 10+ years of progressive finance or accounting operations leadership, including direct ownership of AR and AP.

• Experience leading financial operations in a complex, multi‑entity B2B distribution, logistics, or manufacturing environment preferred.

• Proven track record stabilizing underperforming functions and leading operational and systems transformation.

• Deep ERP experience; Oracle Cloud or other large ERP required , with legacy system modernization experience strongly preferred.

• Strong working capital and cash‑flow management expertise.

• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams through change and influence senior stakeholders.

• Clear, confident communicator with strong executive presence.

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)

• AR and AP operations are stable, predictable, and consistently meeting defined SLAs.

• Measurable improvement in DSO and overall working capital performance.

• Standardized, well‑documented processes with strong internal controls.

• A clear, executable roadmap for AR systems modernization.

• Increased automation and reduced manual intervention across both functions.

• A high‑performing, accountable financial operations team.