Accounts Payable Manager

Accounts Payable Manager

The Accounts Payable Manager oversees all accounts payable functions to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing of vendor invoices and payments within a manufacturing or distribution environment. This role provides hands-on leadership to the accounts payable team, including direct oversight of one AP Clerk, while personally executing key transactional activities. The Accounts Payable Manager maintains strong vendor relationships, enforces internal controls, supports cash management, and ensures adherence to accounting standards, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the full accounts payable process, including invoice processing, payment runs, and vendor reconciliations in a high-volume environment.
• Lead, train, and develop accounts payable staff, including direct supervision of one AP Clerk, to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with policies and procedures.
• Process vendor invoices in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring proper matching to purchase orders and receipts in accordance with accounting standards and internal guidelines.
• Maintain and enforce internal controls related to accounts payable and disbursements, safeguarding the integrity of financial transactions.
• Review and approve payment batches, wire transfers, and other disbursement activities, ensuring proper authorization and documentation.
• Resolve invoice discrepancies, payment issues, and vendor inquiries promptly and professionally, working to maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Maintain vendor master data, ensuring that all documentation, approvals, and changes are properly recorded and controlled.
• Coordinate closely with Purchasing, Receiving, and Operations teams to resolve invoice matching issues and support smooth end-to-end procure-to-pay processes.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including preparation of account reconciliations, accruals, and responses to audit requests related to accounts payable.
• Calculate and maintain prepaid inventory balances and intercompany payable balances, ensuring accurate recording and reconciliation.
• Monitor cash availability and assist the controllership function with cash management activities, including timing of disbursements and payment runs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable tax reporting requirements, including preparation and support of 1099 reporting for vendors.
• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and automation within accounts payable operations.
• Prepare and present accounts payable reports and metrics for management review, providing insights into performance, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements in the execution of accounts payable duties.
• Take direction from the Controller or Finance leadership and collaborate with the broader finance team to support organizational goals.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in accounts payable or broader accounting roles, with direct exposure to high-volume invoice processing.
• Prior supervisory or management experience leading accounts payable staff or similar finance team members.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and mentor one AP Clerk while also executing day-to-day accounts payable work personally.
• Strong expertise in accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, three-way matching with purchase orders and receiving documents, and vendor reconciliation.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as Net Suite or SAP, including experience working within manufacturing or distribution environments that involve inventory.
• Experience in banking and cash management activities, including monitoring cash availability and supporting payment scheduling and disbursements.
• Solid understanding of internal controls related to accounts payable and disbursements, and ability to maintain and enforce these controls.
• Working knowledge of tax reporting requirements relevant to accounts payable, including 1099 reporting for vendors.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to understand and work with multiple systems, including ERP, warehouse management systems (WMS), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and databases.
• Ability to handle a combination of manual and automated invoice processing workflows efficiently and accurately.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate financial records.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with vendors and internal stakeholders across Purchasing, Receiving, Operations, and Finance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment or within the flavor and fragrance industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with Net Suite and Power BI is a plus, particularly for reporting and data analysis.
• Ability to…