Director, Procure-to-Pay

We're looking for a highly skilled and strategic Director of Procure-to-Pay to be based out of our headquarters in McLean, Virginia.  This in office position will be responsible for  building out  our global procurement team and managing the entire procure-to-pay process. This is a critical leadership role, responsible for ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and compliant sourcing and purchasing of all goods and services.

This role is based at our ​headquarters in ​McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Design, develop and execute a comprehensive end-to-end Procure-to-Pay operating model that aligns with Appian’s business objectives. This includes identifying opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Management: Oversee the entire P2P lifecycle, from requisition and purchase order creation to invoice processing and vendor payment. Ensure all processes are efficient, transparent, and in compliance with company policies.
• Collaboration:  Partner with the Legal Department to ensure contract compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment on procurement policies, while also collaborating with other departments including Marketing, IT, Engineering and Sales to drive end-to-end efficiency and alignment across the procure-to-pay process.  
• Team Leadership: Experience structuring and scaling a high-performing procurement team from the ground up.  This includes recruiting, mentoring, and managing. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development.
• Technology & Systems Implementation: Experience selecting and implementing P2P systems (e.g., Coupa, Ariba, SAP, Oracle, etc.), and continuously analyzing and optimizing procurement workflows and systems.  Understanding of automation, e-invoicing, and data analytics to drive efficiency, and implementing best practices and technology solutions to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.
• Budgeting and Reporting: Manage the procurement budget and provide regular reports to senior leadership on key performance indicators (KPIs), cost savings, and vendor performance.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to legal, ethical, and internal compliance standards. Identify and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions and vendor performance.

About You:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CPSM, C.P.M.) is a plus.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role. 
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Familiarity with global procurement or multi-city environments.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Deep understanding of the procure-to-pay process and best practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with procurement software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. 
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

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