Accounts Payable Manager

Our client is seeking a hands-on, dynamic Accounts Payable Manager to provide immediate leadership support during a critical transition period. This interim role will oversee North American AP operations while the organization conducts a search for a permanent leader.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced AP professional who can step in quickly, stabilize operations, lead a high-performing team, and navigate the complexities of a legacy ERP environment while supporting an ongoing SAP transformation initiative. Currently, approximately 99.5% of AP transactions are processed through legacy systems, making strong ERP expertise - particularly JD Edwards (JDE) - essential for success.

Position Summary

The Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end Accounts Payable operations across North America, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of supplier invoices and payments. This individual will manage and develop the regional AP team, drive process improvements, maintain internal controls, and partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support business objectives and transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings deep AP leadership experience, strong operational expertise, and extensive knowledge of JD Edwards (JDE) within a complex, high-volume environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of AP Supervisors, Senior Supervisors, and Accounts Payable professionals across North America.
• Ensure efficient and accurate processing of invoices, vendor payments, employee reimbursements, and AP-related transactions.
• Serve as the primary AP subject matter expert and escalation point for complex transactions, vendor issues, and system-related inquiries.
• Monitor and analyze AP metrics and KPIs including invoice cycle times, aging reports, exception rates, and processing accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance service levels across AP operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, workflow optimization, automation efforts, and standardization of AP processes.
• Support the organization's ongoing SAP transformation while maintaining operational excellence within the current legacy systems environment.
• Partner closely with Procurement, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, IT, and operational stakeholders to improve end-to-end procure-to-pay processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Support ERP enhancements, system upgrades, integrations, OCR technologies, workflow solutions, and payment platforms.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives including shared services optimization, software implementations, and global AP alignment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience, including team leadership and people management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success leading AP teams in complex, multi-entity or shared services environments.
• Hands-on JD Edwards (JDE) experience is required and is considered a non-negotiable qualification.
• Experience working with ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Workday, Net Suite, or similar systems.
• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes, internal controls, vendor management, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to leverage metrics and analytics to drive operational improvements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and perform effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability and willingness to work onsite in Boise, Idaho.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting ERP migrations, SAP implementations, or large-scale finance transformation initiatives.
• Background in a shared services environment.
• Experience leading AP automation and continuous improvement projects.
• Experience overseeing high-volume invoice processing operations.

What We're Looking For

• A strong AP leader who can quickly step into an active environment and provide immediate support to the team.
• A professional who is equally comfortable leading strategically and rolling up their sleeves to solve operational challenges.
• Someone who can rapidly learn complex legacy systems while helping the organization navigate its SAP transformation journey.
• A collaborative business partner who builds strong relationships across Finance, Procurement, IT, and Operations.
• A results-oriented leader who thrives in periods of transition and organizational change.