Accounts Payable Operations Lead

Job Overview:

The Accounts Payable (AP) Operations Lead is the subject matter expert for end-to-end accounts payable and payment operations across multiple entities. This hands-on role executes complex transactions and leads process improvements that shorten invoice cycle time, increase first-pass accuracy, reduce manual touches and exceptions, strengthen controls, and ensure timely vendor payments. The role partners with internal teams and vendors, monitors AP performance indicators, and provides functional guidance and cross-training to the Accounts Payable team.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the full invoice-to-payment process, including coding, approvals, payments, and recordkeeping.
• Review and process PO and non-PO invoices for accuracy and proper approvals.
• Match invoices, purchase orders, and receipts; resolve discrepancies with stakeholders.
• Prepare and process ACH, check, and wire payments.
• Monitor payment approvals, releases, and bank transactions.
• Post payments and resolve uncleared or failed transactions.
• Coordinate cash funding needs with Treasury.
  Track open items, aging invoices, and payment issues to ensure timely resolution.
• Respond to vendor inquiries and resolve account discrepancies.
• Process employee expense reports and corporate card transactions.
• Handle check voids, stop payments, reissues, and special payments.
• Support month-end close, reconciliations, audits, and 1099 reporting.
• Maintain procedures, train team members, and support system improvements.
• Analyze AP metrics and recommend process improvements.
• Improve workflows, reduce errors, and increase processing efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, payment policies, and fraud prevention requirements.
• Communicate status updates and escalate issues as needed.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive Accounts Payable or procure-to-pay experience in a corporate environment. Senior, lead, or subject matter expert experience in a high-volume, multi-entity environment is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required
  Hands-on SAP/ERP experience required; SAP S/4HANA preferred
• SAP Ariba, procure-to-pay (P2P), e-invoicing, or workflow platform experience preferred
• Advanced Excel skills required, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, filtering, and large data analysis.
• Provide status updates and analyses to leadership, and escalate payment, vendor, control, or service issues with recommended solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of PO and non-PO invoice processing, three-way matching, vendor master controls, and payment terms.
• Experience with invoice exception resolution, ACH, checks, domestic/international wires, and payment clearing.
• Knowledge of month-end close, AP reconciliations, accruals, W-9 documentation, and 1099 reporting.
• Proven success improving AP processes, reducing cycle times, manual effort, exceptions, and errors.
• Experience increasing first-pass accuracy and on-time payment performance.
• Skilled at using workflow data and KPIs to identify root causes and implement sustainable process improvements.