Aufgabe
Decathlon Switzerland is growing fast (+50 stores, ~500M€ GMV end of 2026).
To support this growth and the transformation of our finance and procurement ERP, we are seeking a dynamic professional to join our team as an Senior Accounts Payable & AP Leader, based in our Geneva or Lausanne offices.Directly reporting to the accounting leader, you will play a strategic and operational role: leading and structuring the Accounts Payable team while ensuring seamless daily operations and driving process transformations.
YOUR MISSION & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Team Leadership & Structuring
- Structure O2P (Order to Pay) Processes: Build an efficient organization by defining responsibilities and optimizing workflows capable of supporting strong business growth.
- Lead & Mentor Team: Support, develop, and train local teammates across the country.
- Performance Management: Ensure high performance across key KPIs (DPO, invoice processing times, automation rates) and provide regular reporting to management.
2. Operational Excellence & Internal Control
- End-to-End AP & Closing Oversight: Oversee the complete Accounts Payable cycle, serving as the escalation point for complex issues (invoice blocks, holds, ageing) and ensuring monthly/yearly closing excellence (accruals, prepayments, manual entries).
- Supplier Relations & Communication: Maintain strong supplier relationships through clear, smooth, and professional communication.
- Process Harmonization & Performance Recovery: Structure, document, and deploy a standardized Procurement process while diagnosing operational issues and leading targeted recovery plans to boost reliability across the value chain.
- Internal Control & Governance: Establish a robust internal control framework (delegation of authority matrix, segregation of duties, purchase order validation) to mitigate risks and billing errors.
3. Process Transformation & ERP Migration
- Transformation Leader: Act as a key project stakeholder in the migration and transformation of our ERP and Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) systems.
- Change Management: Lead change management initiatives for the finance team and provide operational guidelines/training to internal non-finance stakeholders.
- Standards & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Swiss accounting standards, local regulations, and Group governance guidelines throughout system changes.
- Data Quality Governance: Guarantee data quality for purchases, including vendor data, invoicing, and reporting.
Profil
Professional Background
- 5 to 7+ years of experience in Accounts Payable and General Accounting, including at least 2 years in a leadership, team lead, or senior coordination role.
- Strong working knowledge of core accounting systems, such as Oracle.
- Hands-on experience with expense and P2P platforms, alongside group reporting and BI tools.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets. Experience leading or participating in ERP migrations and system implementations is a significant asset.
- Fluency in French and English is mandatory. Working proficiency in German is a strong advantage for seamless communication with our Swiss-German stores and business partners.
- Proven ability to build and structure processes from scratch, mentor and upskill junior team members and champion organizational change.
- Strong affinity for data and numbers, a continuous improvement mindset, and a structured approach to solving complex problems.
- A genuine passion for sports, embodying the active, dynamic and team-oriented culture of the company.