P2P Operational Excellence Manager - AZ Americas & RDU Global (GFS Americas)

Job Description:

Role Purpose
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Financial Services (GFS) was formed in Q3 2018 through the merger of Global Finance Operations, Integrated Finance Solutions and Cash Generation. GFS is at the heart of the Finance function - accountable to the AstraZeneca (AZ) Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AZ's strategic priorities.

The creation of the Global Financial Services (GFS) centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San José (Costa Rica) will transform the AZ Middle Office and Back Office to a central function, supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the bold ambition of becoming a $80bn company by 2030.

We have exciting opportunities to join our GFS Center in San José, which will establish best practices and be responsible for providing support to embedded finance (CFOs and country business partners and or BPs in Manufacturing).

Role Profile
Global Financial Services (GFS) is at the heart of the Finance function-designing and delivering high-quality, simple-to-operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AstraZeneca's strategic priorities. GFS operates globally through a combination of in-house teams and business process outsourcing (BPO).
The role reports to the Head of Global AP Operations in the P2P Tower and is accountable for operational service delivery, standardization and continuous improvement for Accounts Payable in the AZ Americas region and for the Rare Diseases Unit (RDU) globally. This is a middle-management role leading a team and governing performance across in-house and vendor-delivered services. The role is based in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Typical Accountabilities

Service Delivery
* Own end-to-end AP performance for AZ Americas and RDU globally, delivering against agreed KPIs, SLAs and OLAs with a quality- and metrics-driven approach.
* Oversee daily AP operations across invoice processing, GR/IR management, payment runs and treasury coordination; resolve day-to-day issues and act as the escalation point.
* Set and manage team objectives and performance; ensure balanced monitoring and workload distribution; develop cross-training and capacity plans.
* Implement and monitor internal controls to secure consistent, compliant service delivery.
* Establish and maintain operational activity tracking and KPI reports (e.g., cycle time, straight-through processing, exception rates, on-time payments, GR/IR aging); lead root-cause analysis and corrective action plans.
* Manage and test the business continuity plan; drive readiness during peak periods and ensure continuity across teams and locations.
* Collaborate extensively with internal and external stakeholders to define process direction and resolve issues impacting service delivery and policy adherence.
* Participate in cross-team, departmental and other projects as required, representing AP interests and ensuring effective landing of changes.

Process Improvement / Standardization
* Set clear process guidelines, standard operating procedures and quick reference guides.
* Lead standardization across geographies and entities, harmonizing controls and ways of working with partner functions to support operational efficiencies, transactional quality and policy adherence (e.g., PO discipline).
* Identify, design and implement improvement projects using Lean/Six Sigma/Agile methods to reduce manual touch, increase straight-through processing, and improve quality; quantify and report benefits.
* Benchmark and implement leading practices in AP (e-invoicing, supplier enablement, exception management, payment optimization), partnering with IT, Finance, Procurement and other functions as needed.
* Participate in global initiatives to improve the overall P2P operation and other global system / operational transformations.

Control / Compliance
* Ensure compliance with SOX, AZ Financial Control Framework and IFRS, embedding preventive and detective controls across processes and systems.
* Review and approve high-risk balance sheet account reconciliations (AP, GR/IR, vendor advances), drive timely remediation, highlight risks appropriately.
* Monitor and strengthen control effectiveness within the operation; ensure audit readiness and support internal/external audits.

Stakeholder Engagement
* Coach and develop team, supporting direct reports with their personal development and foster a high-performance culture.
* Build and manage relationships with Controllership, FP&A, Procurement, IT and business units; act as the senior AP/P2P escalation point and trusted partner.
* Partner with other functions to align on policy and supplier strategies that improve PO usage, invoice quality, touchless rates, system performance.
* Communicate performance, risks and improvement outcomes clearly to stakeholders at multiple levels.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Essential

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration; other degrees considered with strong AP/P2P experience.

Experience:
* 7+ years in Finance with significant leadership in Accounts Payable/P2P operations in a global organization; proven management of captive and BPO service delivery across multiple countries; success operating in fast-paced environments with consistently high results.
* Service delivery and metrics: Strong command of AP KPIs and governance (invoice cycle time, first-pass yield, exception rate, on-time payments, GR/IR aging); experience of establishing dashboards and performance reviews; ability to remove blockers and meet service levels.
* Process and controls: Deep AP process knowledge (invoice processing, GR/IR, payments/treasury interface, T&E), understanding of SOX/FCF and IFRS basics; experience overseeing balance sheet reconciliations and driving clean accounts.
* Systems: SAP FI/CO (AP) required; e-Procurement-Coupa preferred or similar; ability to leverage system controls, data and reporting to drive performance and compliance.
* Continuous improvement: Demonstrated track record of standardization and automation delivering measurable outcomes; Lean/Six Sigma/Agile methods; project management skills.
* People leadership: Team management, coaching and development; setting objectives and ensuring cross-training and succession; experience working in multicultural teams.
* Stakeholder management: Proven relationship building and conflict resolution; ability to influence across Finance and Procurement and manage escalations.
* Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; effective across a range of audiences.

Preferred
* Exposure to global shared services and multi-ERP environments
* Experience improving e-invoicing/touchless rates, supplier onboarding and payment optimization strategies.
* Formal Lean/Six Sigma or Agile certification.

What Success Looks Like
* AP KPIs consistently achieved with reduced exceptions and faster cycle times; improved GR/IR aging and clean reconciliations.
* Standardized processes and controls across regions/entities; strong audit outcomes with no significant deficiencies.
* High stakeholder satisfaction and effective governance of captive and BPO delivery.
* Continuous improvement projects delivered with quantified benefits (productivity, quality, control).

Other Role Requirements
* Schedule flexibility to work on holidays when necessary.
* Flexibility and Ability to travel and work in another AZ facilities outside the country when necessary.
* Schedule flexibility to work on the days off given by the wellness Policy when necessary (Política de Bienestar).

Internal and External Contacts/Customers
Will interface with other Shared Services functions, Business CFOs/Finance Business Partners and 3rd party service providers.

According to the company policies, the candidate must prove that there are no situations that generate a conflict of interest (COI) for the company. The non-existence of COI is considered as an objective requirement of the position. To know beforehand the weightings of COI contained in the policies of the company, consult the Human Resources Department.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Date Posted20-may-2026

Closing Date13-jun-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements