Team Lead - Payment

Key Responsibilities

Payment Operations

• Manage daily payment processing across domestic and international payment modes.
• Ensure timely execution of vendor, employee, statutory, MSME, treasury, and other business-critical payments.
• Monitor payment schedules and prioritize urgent and critical transactions.
• Review and authorize payment batches before release as per the approval matrix.
• Coordinate with banks and internal stakeholders to resolve payment-related issues.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the payment operations team.
• Allocate work and monitor team productivity and service levels.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide process guidance.
• Ensure adequate backup planning and cross-functional training.

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies, delegation of authority (DOA), and statutory requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls to prevent duplicate, incorrect, or unauthorized payments.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and explanations.
• Ensure adherence to MSME payment timelines and other regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Accounts Payable, Taxation, Business Units, and Banks for smooth payment execution.
• Resolve escalated vendor and stakeholder queries within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate with ERP, IT, and automation teams for system enhancements.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify opportunities to improve payment efficiency and reduce manual interventions.
• Drive automation initiatives using ERP enhancements, Power BI dashboards, RPA, and workflow improvements.
• Monitor KPIs and prepare management reports on payment performance and operational metrics.
• Standardize payment processes and implement best practices across the organization.

Key Deliverables

• 100% timely payment processing.
• Zero unauthorized or duplicate payments.
• Compliance with MSME and statutory payment timelines.
• Improved payment turnaround time (TAT).
• Successful completion of audit requirements with minimal observations.
• Continuous process improvement and automation implementation.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable and payment processes.
• Good understanding of ERP systems.
• Knowledge of banking operations, payment methods, and treasury processes.
• Familiarity with TDS, GST, MSME, and statutory payment regulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Leadership, decision-making, and team management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; knowledge of Power BI is preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Payment accuracy (%)
• On-time payment rate
• Payment turnaround time (TAT)
• Number of payment exceptions or errors
• Audit observations
• Process automation initiatives completed
• Vendor query resolution time
• Team productivity and SLA adherence
• Compliance with MSME and statutory payment timelines

• Essential Qualification: M.Com / CA Inter / CMA (Qualified)
  • Experience: 8-10 years of relevant experience in AP / Payment, preferably in a captive/shared services setup
  • Tools & Platforms:
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel
  • SAP, Oracle ERP (Mandatory)
  • Power BI / Hyperion (Good to have)

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES OF THE JOB

• Analytical Acumen: Ability to dissect AP data for improving working capital.
  • Stakeholder Management: Liaise with sales, finance, and customers to drive AR performance.
  • Problem Solving: Resolve reconciliation issues and improve billing processes.
  • Technical Skills: Proficiency in using ERP systems for AP and reporting.
  • Process & Control Orientation: Understanding of internal controls and regulatory compliance in AP.
  • Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication with internal and external stakeholders.

EXPERIENCE/ EXPOSURE

• Experience managing payables in a fast-paced shared services or multinational environment
  • Exposure to audit, customer account reconciliations, and cashflow forecasting
  • Knowledge of AP KPIs, dashboarding in Power BI