Accounts Payable Manager

The Accounts Payable (AP) Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Accounts Payable function, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of invoices and vendor payments while maintaining strong internal controls. Reporting to the Director of Accounts Payable, this role manages the AP team, drives operational excellence, and partners on Procure-to-Pay (P2P) transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, scalability, and the overall stakeholder experience.

The AP Manager serves as the operational leader for the department, balancing people leadership, process improvement, and hands-on support while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounts Payable team, setting clear goals and performance expectations
• Oversee daily AP operations, including invoice processing, approvals, and payment execution
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of high-volume invoices and vendor payments
• Manage workload distribution and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
• Build and maintain cross-training plans to reduce key person dependencies and ensure operational continuity
• Monitor team productivity and service levels, adjusting priorities to meet business demands.

Process & Systems Leadership

• Own and optimize AP processes, including invoice workflows, approval hierarchies, and payment cycles
• Identify operational bottlenecks and recommend scalable solutions.
• Partner with Finance and IT to enhance ERP and AP systems functionality
• Establish and track KPIs (e.g., invoice cycle time, on-time payment rate)
• Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Operations, IT, and Accounting to improve end-to-end P2P processes.
• Support testing, implementation, and adoption of new ERP functionality and AP technologies.
• Partner with the Director of Accounts Payable to execute the department's Procure-to-Pay roadmap and operational priorities.

Controls, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure adherence to internal controls, company policies, and audit requirements
• Oversee 2-way and 3-way matching processes and exception handling
• Maintain strong controls around vendor setup, payment approvals, and fraud prevention
• Support internal and external audits, including documentation and issue resolution
• Ensure segregation of duties and approval controls are consistently followed.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage escalated vendor issues and maintain strong vendor relationships
• Ensure accurate vendor master data, including W-9s and payment terms
• Represent Accounts Payable in cross-functional meetings and projects.
• Build strong partnerships with Procurement, Treasury, Operations, Legal, and Finance.
• Resolve escalated vendor issues while balancing operational needs and vendor relationships.
• Promote a customer-service mindset across the AP team.

Reporting, Metrics & Financial Support

• Oversee AP-related month-end close activities, including accruals and reconciliations
• Review AP aging and reporting to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Provide insights and reporting to Finance leadership on AP performance and trends
• Monitor AP KPIs and identify trends requiring management attention.
• Develop dashboards and operational reporting to support departmental decision-making.
• Support cash forecasting by providing visibility into AP liabilities and payment timing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
• 7+ years of Accounts Payable or accounting experience, with at least 1+ years in a supervisory role
• Strong knowledge of AP processes, internal controls, and compliance requirements
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Concur, Dynamics etc.)
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with reporting/analysis

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Excellent prioritization and decision-making abilities.
• Strong understanding of Procure-to-Pay processes and controls.
• Change management and process transformation mindset.
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions.
• Executive presence and communication skills.
• Curious and improvement-driven mindset
• Excellent conflict resolution skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience in high-growth or high-volume environments
• Exposure to AP automation tools (e.g., OCR, workflow systems)
• Experience supporting audits and strengthening internal controls
• Industry experience in construction, manufacturing, or project-based environments (if applicable)