Head of Accounts Payable
Job Fit Check
Base Career helps you apply smarter for this job.
Key skills for this role
About the Role
The Independent Food Company seeks a Head of Accounts Payable to establish and scale the AP function across multiple hospitality brands. You will own the full Procure-to-Pay cycle, automate invoice processing, enforce controls, and prepare for a future Finance CoE.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Own end to end AP from PO to payment across all entities
- Implement a digital approval workflow to replace ad hoc email approvals
- Enforce 3 way match (PO GRN invoice) on >95% of POs and segregate duties
- Eliminate duplicate and fraudulent payments through controls and exception logs
- Clean and govern the vendor master, including KYC/AML and UBO capture
- Drive AP automation (OCR/AI) to reduce manual processing time
- Standardize and extend supplier payment terms to improve DPO
- Reconcile aggregator commissions (Talabat/Careem/Deliveroo) and intercompany payables
- Establish visibility and accrual discipline over stock in transit and landed cost
- Build and document SOPs for every AP transaction class
- Prepare for Phase 2 merge into Financial CoE
Requirements
- Qualified or part qualified accountant (CMA/ACCA/CA or equivalent)
- 8 12 years in Accounts Payable/P2P, including 3+ years leading an AP team in a multi entity environment
- F&B, hospitality, retail, or high volume multi outlet background strongly preferred
- Proven track record automating AP (OCR/invoice capture/workflow) and cleaning vendor master data
- Strong NetSuite (or equivalent ERP) AP module expertise
- Working knowledge of UAE VAT input tax rules, WPS, and KYC/AML & UBO requirements for vendor onboarding
Full Job Posting
Company Overview
- Independent Food Company is a UAE based hospitality company with multiple concepts: SALT, Parker's, Somewhere, Public, Soil, Shalwa and Kumo.
Role Overview
- Seeking a highly qualified Head of Accounts Payable to establish and stand up AP as a controlled, scalable function across all brands and entities.
- The role owns the full Procure to Pay cycle and aims to remove key person risk, manual processing, and control exposure.
- First six months focus on getting control, automating, and building a clean, auditable P2P engine.
Scope of Function (Phase 1)
- Invoice processing & booking: ~3,000 invoices/month across all entities (supplier, utility, rent, aggregator commission, intercompany).
- Payment runs & treasury interface: scheduled runs, bank API payment files, payment release controls, cash flow input to Treasury.
- 3 way match & controls: PO GRN invoice matching, exception handling, duplicate & fraud prevention, approval workflow.
- Vendor master & supplier management: onboarding (KYC/AML, UBO), master data hygiene, supplier rationalisation, statement reconciliation.
- Import, landed cost & stock in transit: coordination with shipping line (Maersk), customs/duty accruals, landed cost capture.
- Staff & expense payables: petty cash, employee expense claims, corporate card reconciliation.
Key Responsibilities
- Take control of the P2P cycle: Own end to end AP from PO to payment; establish a documented, controlled, auditable process.
- Implement a digital approval workflow: Replace ad hoc approval emails with a system based, DOA aligned workflow.
- Enforce 3 way match & SoD: PO GRN invoice match on >95% of POs; segregate invoice entry, approval, and payment release.
- Eliminate duplicate & fraudulent payments: Build duplicate invoice controls, supplier bank validation, and an exception log.
- Clean & govern the vendor master: De duplicate and deactivate dormant vendors; complete KYC/AML and UBO capture.
- Drive AP automation (OCR/AI): Deploy OCR/AI invoice capture to reduce manual load; target >80% auto capture and >40% cut in processing time.
- Own payment terms & working capital: Standardise and extend supplier terms (target +10 days DPO) without service disruption.
- Reconcile aggregators & intercompany: Own reconciliation of aggregator commissions (Talabat/Careem/Deliveroo) and intercompany payables.
- Close the stock in transit gap: Establish visibility and accrual discipline over shipped/in transit stock, customs, duty, and landed cost.
- Fix physical & process controls: Address control gaps in AP/warehouse environment (e.g., CCTV, goods receipt integrity, document retention).
- Build & document SOPs: Every AP transaction class with a documented, version controlled SOP; cross train to remove key person risk.
- Prepare for the Phase 2 merge: Align process, controls, and master data to CoE standards so AP folds cleanly into Financial Control.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified or part qualified accountant — CMA / ACCA / CA or equivalent; strong P2P specialisation.
- 8–12 years in Accounts Payable / P2P, including 3+ years leading an AP team in a multi entity environment.
- F&B, hospitality, retail, or high volume multi outlet background strongly preferred.
- Proven track record automating AP (OCR / invoice capture / workflow) and cleaning vendor master data.
- Strong NetSuite (or equivalent ERP) AP module expertise; comfortable with bank API payments and approval workflow tools.
- Working knowledge of UAE VAT input tax rules, WPS, and KYC/AML & UBO requirements for vendor onboarding.
- Hands on, control minded leader able to run high volume processing while raising the control bar.
Apply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
More from this employer
More jobs at Independent food company
Brand Executive
Dubai, UAE
The Independent Food Company seeks a Brand Executive to act as the primary link between the organization and external design partners. The role involves managing design projects, coordinating feedback, and protecting int
Creative Brand Manager
Dubai, UAE
Independent Food Company is seeking a Creative Brand Manager for its brand 'Somewhere' in Dubai. This design-led role owns the visual identity and creative direction across all channels. Requires a degree in graphic desi
Influencer Marketing Specialist
الرياض, KSA
The Independent Food Company is seeking an Influencer Marketing Specialist to plan and execute influencer campaigns for its portfolio of food brands. The role involves identifying influencers, managing partnerships, and
Supply Chain Manager
, KSA
The Independent Food Company seeks a Supply Chain Manager to oversee end-to-end supply chain operations including procurement, inventory, warehousing, and logistics. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 5-8+ years o
Assistant Restaurant Manager
, KSA
The Independent Food Company seeks an Assistant Restaurant Manager to support daily operations, supervise staff, ensure customer service, and achieve sales goals. The role requires experience in restaurant management, st
Operations Supervisor (Healthy Concept)
, UAE
We are seeking a Senior Operations Supervisor to oversee daily operations across multiple outlets, ensuring consistent service standards, operational efficiency, and brand compliance. The role involves supervising teams,
Global Talent Acquisition Manager
Dubai, UAE
Independent Food Company is home to some of the region's most recognised hospitality concepts, including SALT, Somewhere, Parker's, Shalwa, Somewhere, and Public. We are a fast-growing organisation with an expanding port
CDP- Sushi
Dubai, UAE
Job Title: Chef de Partie – Sushi Department: Kitchen Operations Reports To: Sous Chef / Head Chef ### Job Purpose: The CDP – Sushi is responsible for preparing high-quality sushi dishes, maintaining food safety standard
Brand Executive
Dubai, UAE
Creative Brand Manager
Dubai, UAE
Influencer Marketing Specialist
الرياض, KSA
Supply Chain Manager
, KSA
Assistant Restaurant Manager
, KSA
Operations Supervisor (Healthy Concept)
, UAE
Global Talent Acquisition Manager
Dubai, UAE
CDP- Sushi
Dubai, UAE