Global Accounts Payable Manager

Rotterdam

Global Accounts Payable Manager
Location: Gent, Belgium or Rotterdam, Netherlands (hybrid, minimum two days a week in the office)

At Cerba Research, we are committed to finding the best talent to join our team. We have partnered with Vector Talent to manage the recruitment process for this role. If you are interested in applying, please direct all applications and questions to Vector Talent, internal candidates, please contact your hiring manager. 

The Role

Cerba Research is looking for a Global Accounts Payable Manager to own its accounts payable function and lead the move to one standard procure to pay process across the Netherlands, Belgium and the US.

This is a new role. You’ll run the Netherlands AP operation directly and, with local finance, procurement and the SAP teams, design a harmonised way of working that respects local requirements.

About Cerba Research

With over 40 years of clinical research expertise, Cerba Research offers clinical trial management, specialty lab and biomarker services, and medical devices and diagnostics. Its global accredited laboratory network spans the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia and Africa, supporting clients from research and development through to commercialisation, with a mission to help patients get access to new treatments faster.

Why Join?

A New Role with Real Scope - You’ll own the end to end process and have a clear say in how it’s designed.
Build, Don’t Just Run - Systems are aligned across the three countries, which opens up room to standardise and automate.
Modern Systems - SAP S/4HANA and Coupa, with plenty of opportunity to get more from them.
Your Responsibilities

Run the day-to-day Netherlands AP operation: invoice processing, vendor master data, payment runs and month-end close
Act as the escalation point for AP issues and keep stakeholders informed
Ensure compliance with statutory, tax and internal control requirements, including VAT and Peppol e-invoicing
Assess the process end to end, find bottlenecks and control gaps, and reduce invoice cycle time and manual exceptions
Map processes and policies across the three countries and build harmonised procedures that respect local requirements
Partner with IT and SAP teams on system configuration, approval workflows and vendor management
Report on AP metrics such as processing time, exception rates, on-time payments and aged payables
Work with procurement and local finance on vendor terms, payment strategy and cash flow

About You

You’re a hands-on AP leader who can run the day-to-day and also drive change. You like making processes quiet, and you can bring a multi-entity team with you.

8-10 years in accounts payable or procure to pay, including 3-5 years in a managerial or team lead role
Experience managing AP in a multi-entity, multinational environment. Benelux and US experience is a strong advantage
A track record of leading process improvement, standardisation or harmonisation
Working knowledge of Dutch and Belgian VAT and statutory requirements. Peppol familiarity is beneficial
SAP experience, ideally S/4HANA, including workflow automation. Coupa is useful
Advanced Excel and experience building reporting
Strong written and spoken English. Dutch is an advantage
Private equity backed, CRO or life sciences experience is a plus

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Cerba HealthCare, we believe that the diversity of people, backgrounds, and perspectives is an essential asset in fulfilling our mission: to improve the health of everyone, everywhere. We are committed to providing an inclusive work environment that guarantees equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, background, sexual orientation, disability, or any other personal characteristic. All talented individuals are encouraged to apply.

Travel

Minimal travel expected for this role.