Senior Director, Source to Pay (Hybrid)

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

The Head of Source to Pay (STP) plays a critical role in managing the efficient flow of over $3 billion in third-party spend globally. This role ensures that the right processes, payment channels, systems, and compliance mechanisms are in place to track and manage spend across our supply base — a crucial component to the success of Smith+Nephew.

The role is accountable for delivering a seamless end-to-end process, fully connecting business needs through the appropriate procurement and legal channels, culminating in a world-class Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) operation. The STP Head should continuously seek to evolve and improve the entire Source-to-Pay landscape by driving automation, implementing best practices, and establishing simple, consistent processes across a diverse set of markets.

Working closely with key functional partners — predominantly Procurement, Finance, and Legal — this role will demonstrate clear ownership of all Source-to-Pay processes and champion best practices in process strategy, stakeholder engagement, and governance.

The role will have clear accountability for executing and delivering Source-to-Contract (STC) processes as part of the extended Global Procurement function; Purchase-to-Order (PTO) processes, ensuring clear ROI from the deployment of Ariba and Esker; and overseeing Invoice-to-Pay (ITP) processes to ensure that invoices are verified, approved, and paid on time.

This position reports to the Head of GBS Finance Services.

What will you be doing?

STP Ownership

• Act as the primary representative of Source-to-Pay (STP) within Smith+Nephew.
• Oversee career development and task management of STP resources.
• Develop and execute the end-to-end STP systems and process strategy.
• Drive significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of STP operations.
• Collaborate across GBS (Global Business Services) to ensure successful STP strategy delivery.
• Manage strong stakeholder relationships with Finance, Procurement, Legal, and IT.
• Develop and enforce effective global STP policies.
• Utilize robust KPIs to monitor and report performance.
• Ensure global consistency in the end-to-end STP process.
• Lead systems implementations for STP processes in new markets.
• Serve as the governing authority for all end-to-end STP process changes.
• Own the GPO (Global Process Owner) structure within STP, including Source-to-Contract (STC), Purchase-to-Order (PTO), and Invoice-to-Pay (ITP) streams.

Service Execution

• Ensure effective delivery of all upstream services to Global Procurement.
• Support Legal in ensuring compliance with NDA and contracting processes.
• Deliver self-service Purchase-to-Invoice processes via Ariba and Esker.
• Implement and manage an effective global payment channel strategy.
• Reduce workarounds and process deviations.
• Establish a streamlined structure to enhance Accounts Payable (AP) execution efficiency.
• Act as the ultimate escalation point for all STP-related issues.
• Ensure working capital optimization across payment processes.
• Guarantee that STP processes comply with global and regional regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX, GDPR)

What will you need to be successful?

• Relevant degree or equivalent job-related experience.
• 10+ years leading teams, driving transformation, and working in shared services.
• Managerial experience in large, multi-currency, multi-national organizations.
• Proven track record in business process change, automation (incl. RPA), and Business Intelligence.
• Deep knowledge of purchasing and supply chain (category management, sourcing, negotiation, tendering).
• Strong strategic thinker with experience in complex environments.
• Skilled in stakeholder management, networking, influencing, and customer experience.
• Successful leadership of major change programs.
• Results-driven, with a focus on business impact.
• Experience with SAP and/or SAP Ariba preferred.
• Hands-on leader, strong team builder, leads by example.
• High integrity, critical thinker, problem solver, proactive and accountable.
• Strong attention to detail, able to manage teams by metrics, KPIs, and targets.
• Trusted advisor in people management, operational design, shared services, process optimization, and continuous improvement.

You. Unlimited.
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our most valuable investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging: We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels welcomed, celebrated, and empowered to thrive. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website.

Your Future: annual bonus, life insurance, company stock saving plan.

Work/Life Balance: paid volunteering hours, flexible working approach.

Your Wellbeing: private health care with dental care package, multisport card/my benefit platform.

Flexibility: possibility of working in a hybrid model.

Training: hands-on learning, team-tailored programs, subsidies for language classes, certifications, and postgraduate studies.

Extra Perks: referral bonus, recognition program, mentoring program.

Stay connected and receive alerts for jobs like this by joining our talent community.

We're more than just a company - we're a community! Follow us on LinkedIn to see how we support and empower our employees and patients every day.

Check our Glassdoor page for a glimpse behind the scenes and a sneak peek into You Unlimited, life, culture, and benefits at S+N.

Explore our new website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer.

Stay connected and receive alerts for jobs like this by joining our talent community .

We're more than just a company - we're a community! Follow us on LinkedIn to see how we support and empower our employees and patients every day.

Check our Glassdoor page for a glimpse behind the scenes and a sneak peek into You . Unlimited . , life, culture, and benefits at S+N.

Explore our new website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer.