Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring an Accounts Payable Manager to lead and scale our AP function. This role is responsible for managing end-to-end accounts payable operations, optimizing payment processes, enforcing internal controls (including SOX), and leading a team to deliver accurate, timely supplier payments and reconciliations. You will partner with treasury, procurement, tax, and finance systems teams to drive automation, improve working capital metrics, and support month-end close cadence. This is a manager-level role with direct reports and significant cross-functional influence.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of AP specialists: hiring, performance management, career development, and workload allocation.
- Manage end-to-end AP processes: invoice intake (PO/non-PO), three-way matching, approval workflows, vendor setup/maintenance, payment runs (ACH, wire, virtual cards, checks).
- Design, document, and enforce internal controls and SOX-compliant procedures; maintain audit-ready documentation and support external/internal audits.
- Own month-end AP close activities: accruals, reconciliations, variance analysis, and reporting to FP&A and Controller teams to ensure timely and accurate financial close.
- Drive AP automation and process improvement initiatives: evaluate and implement AP automation tools (OCR/ICR, RPA), e-invoicing, supplier portals, and straight-through-processing to reduce manual touchpoints and DPO volatility.
- Optimize cash management and payment strategy: collaborate with Treasury to prioritize vendors, optimize payment timing, and implement early-pay/discount programs where appropriate.
- Manage vendor relationships and dispute resolution: resolve payment exceptions, escalations, and contract/payment term inquiries; act as escalation point for complex vendor issues.
- Implement KPI framework and dashboards: track AP aging, DPO, invoice cycle time, exception rates, and SLA adherence using BI tools and present insights to leadership.
- Partner with IT/ERP teams on system enhancements, integrations (ERP, procurement, banking APIs), and data integrity initiatives; author requirements and lead UAT for AP-related projects.
- Ensure compliance with tax withholding, 1099/1098 processes, and international payment requirements where applicable.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent experience; CPA, CMA, or relevant certification preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive accounts payable experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory or manager role managing teams and process ownership.
- Proven experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle/NetSuite, Workday) and AP automation platforms (Coupa, Ariba, Tipalti, AvidXchange or equivalent).
- Strong technical proficiency with Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, Power Query), SQL or ability to work with data extracts, and experience building dashboards in Power BI/Tableau.
- Deep knowledge of SOX controls, compliance best practices, and audit processes; history of maintaining audit-ready AP operations.
- Demonstrated ability to implement process automation (OCR, RPA) and lead cross-functional change management.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills with experience troubleshooting high-impact payment exceptions and system reconciliation issues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a high-growth, multi-entity corporate environment or shared services/SSC model.
- Familiarity with international payments, foreign currency handling, and global AP compliance.
- Experience with treasury interfaces, bank connectivity (APIs/host-to-host), virtual card programs, and supplier financing solutions.
- Formal training or certification in project management (PMP, Scrum) or process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma).
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- ERP platforms: SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite, NetSuite, Workday Financials.
- AP automation and procurement tools: Coupa, Ariba, Tipalti, AvidXchange, Basware.
- Payment rails & banking: ACH, wire, SEPA, virtual card platforms, SWIFT, bank host-to-host connectivity.
- Data and reporting: Advanced Excel, Power Query, VBA, SQL, Power BI, Tableau.
- Automation: OCR/ICR tools (ABBYY, Kofax), RPA (UiPath, Automation Anywhere), integration middleware (MuleSoft, Boomi).
- Controls & compliance: SOX control frameworks, 1099 management, AP tax withholding systems.
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Leadership presence with a track record of building high-performing teams and instituting disciplined operational processes.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills; able to translate technical/process issues to finance and non-finance audiences.
- Data-driven decision maker who leverages metrics and root-cause analysis to prioritize workstreams.
- Change agent comfortable leading cross-functional programs and influencing without direct authority.
- High attention to detail, sense of urgency, and commitment to delivering reliable financial operations.
Benefits and Perks
Salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE]. Total rewards include competitive base salary, annual bonus/variable compensation, equity or long-term incentive plan (where applicable), comprehensive medical/dental/vision benefits, 401(k) or local retirement plan with company match, flexible PTO, parental leave, professional development stipend, and wellbeing resources. Additional perks may include commuter benefits, tuition reimbursement, and internal mobility opportunities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Location
This is a hybrid position based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. A successful candidate will be expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week to enable close collaboration with finance, treasury, procurement, and ERP teams; occasional travel to regional offices or auditors may be required.
How to Apply
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply—even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. To apply, submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting relevant AP leadership, ERP and automation experience. Qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.