Process Improvement Leader - R2R (Record to Report)

Job Title

Process Improvement Leader - R2R (Record to Report)

Job Description

Profile Summary

A seasoned finance leader with deep R2R expertise, strong accounting judgment, and a transformation mindset, capable of running a world-class global R2R operation while continuously improving efficiency, controls, and stakeholder confidence.

As Senior Team Lead for Financial Accounting, you are responsible to ensure a true and fair view on Vanderlande’s financial position and reporting. Together with your team of professionals in Pune, you are responsible for correct, timely, and complete processing of all financial data and general ledger processes. The output forms a substantial part of the process for the Vanderlande monthly financial reports. We need to comply with internal and external regulations (e.g. Tax, internal/external financial reporting, IFRS, J-SOX). Therefor we focus on development and continuous improvement of our financial processes and systems. Main part of your challenge is to prepare and further develop Vanderlande Record to Report (R2R) Business process and your team (Pune) to solid growth amid a continuously changing environment.

This is a leadership role requiring 17+ years' experience within the R2R domain while managing teams > 30 direct reports of operational team members including SMEs. It requires liaising and working closely with global Business Controllers, Group Financial Control teams. Must have cross-domain expertise and hands-on knowledge of Procure to Pay, Lead to Cash, Fixed Assets, Intercompany and Payroll as well.

Role Purpose

The Senior R2R Team Leader is accountable for end-to-end global Record-to-Report operations, ensuring financial integrity, governance, compliance, and continuous process excellence across multiple geographies.

The role combines deep accounting expertise, people leadership, and process transformation capability to deliver accurate, timely, and insight-driven financial outcomes while driving standardization, automation, and maturity of the global R2R landscape.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global R2R Operations Leadership

• Lead end-to-end R2R processes including:
  • General Ledger
  • Month-end and year-end close
  • Balance Sheet Reconciliations
  • Intercompany Accounting & Eliminations
  • Fixed Assets & Leases
  • Journals & Accruals
  • Financial Reporting support
• Own close calendar adherence, accuracy, and completeness across Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
• Ensure zero-surprise balance sheet management and strong financial hygiene.

2. Financial Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with IFRS / US GAAP / Local GAAP as applicable.
• Act as key interface for:
  • Internal Audit
  • External Audit
  • SOX / JSOX / ICF controls
• Own and continuously strengthen:
  • Journal Entry Controls
  • Reconciliation Quality & Aging
  • Manual vs Automated Controls
• Drive closure of audit findings and remediation of control gaps.

3. Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and digital process improvement initiatives across R2R.
• Reduce close cycle time, manual effort, and rework through:
  • Standardization
  • Automation (RPA, AI etc.)
  • Simplification of policies and procedures
• Own R2R KPIs including:
  • Close cycle time
  • First-time-right journals
  • Reconciliation aging
  • Audit issues
  • Cost-to-serve

4. Transformation & Digital Enablement

• Partner with IT, Digital, and Finance Transformation teams to:
  • Implement and optimize ERP platforms
  • Drive tool adoption (Power BI, AI-based reconciliation & anomaly detection)
• Support transition programs:
  • GBS migrations
  • Scope expansions

5. Stakeholder & Business Partnership

• Act as trusted finance partner to:
  • Regional FSSC Heads
  • Business Controllers
  • Global Finance Leadership
• Provide clear, data-backed insights into:
  • Balance sheet risks
  • Accounting judgments
  • Process bottlenecks
• Ensure alignment across regions with one global R2R voice.

6. People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop a large global R2R team.
• Build strong succession pipelines and future-ready R2R capabilities.
• Drive high employee engagement, accountability, and performance culture.
• Promote a mindset of ownership, continuous learning, and transformation.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Mandatory

• 17+ years of progressive experience in R2R / Financial Accounting.
• Strong exposure to global operations across Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
• Proven leadership of large teams in GBS / FSSC / Shared Services environments (lead atleast 25+ member team)
• Deep hands-on experience with:
  • Month-end close
  • Balance sheet management
  • Intercompany accounting
  • Audit & controls

Preferred

• Chartered Accountant (CA) – preferred.
• Lean / Six Sigma / Process Excellence certification.

Critical Skills & Competencies

Technical

• Expert accounting knowledge (IFRS / GAAP)
• Balance sheet risk assessment & judgment
• Strong control and governance mindset

Leadership

• High ownership and accountability
• Strong stakeholder management
• Ability to influence senior finance leadership
• Coaching-oriented people leader

Transformation

• Process redesign & standardization
• Automation mindset
• Data-driven decision making

Success Measures (KPIs)

• Close cycle time reduction
• Balance sheet aging & cleanliness
• Audit findings (zero high-risk issues)
• Process automation coverage
• Employee engagement & attrition
• Cost-to-serve improvement

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.