Sr. Director, Financial Operations (AP & AR)

Opportunity Information:

Position Overview

We are seeking a transformational Senior Director, Financial Operations (AP & AR)) 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 AP and AR operations while modernizing processes, systems, and operating models . The role is heavily weighted on the AP side. 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 AP & AR 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 A & AR, while leading process standardization, systems optimization, and long-term platform transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations Leadership

• Lead end-to-end AP & AR 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 AP & AR.

• 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 AP & AR 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 AP & AR 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 AP & AR.

• Experience leading financial operations in a shared services, 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)

• AP & AR 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.

Location Type: On-Site Pay Range: USD $165,000.00 - USD $220,000.00 /Yr.