Job Description / Capsule

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, energised and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Finance Operations (GFO) was formed in Q1 2016 through the merger of Global Finance Services and Cash Generation.  GFO 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. 

Our processes cover record to report, purchase to pay, contract to cash and data management and we drive AZ’s cash focus through disciplined management of supplier and customer payment terms and practices. GFO provides P2P/T&E process helpdesk services to internal AZ and external end users, including training support to internal AZ users. Plans are in place to extend the scope and internal customer coverage during 2016 /17.

GFO operates globally through a combination of in-house captive and offshored business process outsourcing (BPO). The BPO element has been provided in partnership with our service provider partner Genpact since 2008. At the end of 2015, GFO comprised ~680 roles in total (~450 in the BPO).

AZ Finance is embarking on an ambitious, broad ranging, multi-year transformation programme, called Finance Transformation (FT). Though 2016 / 17, FT plans for transactional process and technology improvements will underpin a next wave of GFO transformation and a step change in service effectiveness and efficiency.

Aligned to FT, GFO started a transformation journey in 2016, adopting a global process focused operating model organized between global process towers, stakeholder engagement, helpdesk, cash generation and master data management teams. The newly formed GFO Senior Leadership Team (SLT) aligns to this model, and the rest of the GFO organisation is being restructured in line with this model.

The role holder reports to the C2C Global Cash & Banking Manager who is based in the UK and is accountable for the overall banking services (excludes treasury function) performance for the Americas region. Primary measures include; Timely and accurate bank account and GL clearing accounts reconciliations, resolution of open items, management & compliance control of the manual payments process, payment allocations and risk of loss and fraud avoidance processes. The role holder will work with their line manager to ensure goals and performance targets are achieved by the service provider.

They will monitor performance and ensure remediation plans are formulated, agreed and efficiently executed where necessary. The role holder will enable and collaborate with the service provider to ensure the desired performance can be achieved and maintain a strong control environment.

Main Accountabilities

• Works alongside their line manager to ensure KPI’s are achieved, this is done by governing and supporting the service provider’s teams responsible for the region and strong engagement with the Markets
• Takes the lead in reviewing and ensuring good quality bank reconciliations are delivered
• Review and sign off SOP’s as and when required
• Support audit requirements and ensure all SOX controls are fit for purpose for the region
• Identifies improvements and implements change with clear outcomes of improvement and standardisation. 
• Actively seeks ways to reduce bank charges
• Strong ability to lead and collaborate with senior stakeholders; resolving issues partnering with the service provider to implement change as required
• Leads process improvement for own area and can demonstrate measurable improvement year on year.
• Deliver the transitions and assist others to support the finance operating model development.
• Clear focus on end to end process performance across the region. Builds and maintains strong enterprise partnership for delivery (Finance, IT and the wider business)
• Maintains quality & performance within allocated budgets in a compliant manner

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Has a deep knowledge of business-to-business Banking Process Management and Assessment and how this has been implemented across the region within a multinational organisation or financial institution
• Has experience in co-managing Banking Partners across the region.
• Has experience with high volume payment allocations within a multinational organisation,
• Has knowledge and the practical management of securities such as LC’s, BG’s and PG’s
• Has experience managing risk related to the transfer of funds across the region and the globe
• Fluent in both English & Spanish, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to communicate at all levels within the organisation with strong stakeholder management, to drive a change agenda on delivery and benefits
• Energetic and self-motivated qualified or experienced finance professional
• Extensive process experience (development, management and application of)
• Track record of driving simplification & continuous improvement across key business processes
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects/tasks effectively
• Experience of driving issue resolution across complex system & process landscapes
• Experience of working within a global organization, preferably with Pharmaceutical industry exposure or within a financial services organisation as a banking process manager.
• Experience of working across a range of business functions and personnel levels, and a track record of being able to influence key stakeholders remotely and build strong working relationships
• Comfortable with occasional international travel.

Desirable

• Commanding presence, is influential when communicating direction and expected outcomes,
• Strong problem solving ability,
• Delivers message confidently and is consistent, removes blockers to success.
• Understanding of Sarbanes Oxley S404 internal control requirements, with accomplishments in establishing assurance models across business groups and processes.
• Strong banking services management process expertise

Key Relationships to reach solutions

Internal (To AZ or team)

• Strategic Service Partner
• Customers –Internal
• AZ Global Process Lead
• AZ Transformation Team
• IS

External (To AZ)

• External suppliers
• Primarily partner banks and BPO (Genpac)

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).

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 Posted

Closing Date

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.