Team Lead, Accounts Payable - Contract - Canada

OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director, Financial Operations, the Accounts Payable Team Lead oversees the accounts payable team, ensuring accurate transaction processing, reconciliations, and cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency and support financial decision-making.

The role is responsible for the timely and accurate payment of suppliers and employees, while tracking payment obligations and preparing standard reports such as open purchase orders, procurement requests, AP aging, outstanding contract balances, payments due, and payment runs.

This is a full-time, fixed term contract, salary paid position, requiring residency in Canada. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and lead the accounts payable team, ensuring the accurate processing of invoices, payments, and expense reports.
• Review and reconcile accounts payable transactions, resolve discrepancies, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Oversee vendor inquiries, resolve issues, and ensure open items are followed through and closed in a timely manner.
• Provide backup support for all AP activities during peak workloads and vacation coverage.
• Support period-end deadlines, audit requirements and ad-hoc reporting.
• Prepare accounts payable reports, monitor KPIs, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• Drive process improvements to maintain efficient and consistent practices across business units.
• Provide guidance and training to accounts payable staff, fostering a culture of accuracy, internal controls, and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline and standardize accounts payable processes and improve efficiency.
• Perform full accounts payable duties, including matching, batching, and coding.
• Prepare monthly account analyses for vendor accounts, inbound delivery, municipal depot hours, events, and transportation.
• Perform reconciliations and prepare regular reports.
• Ensure all payments are compliant with Circular Materials’ policies and procedures including proper authorization, approval, and coding.
• Ensure recurring monthly payments (such as rent, GST, etc.) are prepared, processed, and paid on time.
• Receive, review, code, and process invoices in SAP.
• Lead the process of Purchase order (POs) creation when required in the SAP system.
• Process wire and electronic fund transfer (EFT) payments, and validate and process expense reports.
• Set up and maintain vendor records, ensuring addresses, banking information, payment terms, and contact details are accurate and up to date.
• Lead month-end accounts payable close, including accruals and reconciliation reports.
• Partner with department leaders to resolve issues and escalate concerns within scope to the Director, Financial Operations.
• Work closely with finance and other teams to support timely invoice approvals, expense claim payments, and payment-related information requests.
• Communicate and maintain positive working relationships with vendors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Post secondary education/Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field
• An equivalent combination of education, and experiences may be considered.

Experience

• General understanding of accounting function goals and how roles within the department support successful accounts payable management.
• Proven experience in accounts payable roles, with a track record of accuracy and leadership
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and accounts payable processes
• Experience using SAP is a definite asset.

Knowledge/Competencies/Skills

• Preference will be given to candidates with a strong understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and the ability to communicate and apply AI technologies effectively within a business context.
• Excellent communication with a positive approach to collaboration, while able to lead a team and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong time-management skills in periods of peak workload, including period-end and audit cycles.
• High level of accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Ability to build relationships with clients and internal departments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• All CM employees work 40 hours per week remotely from a Canadian home office environment.
• Works within periods of uneven workload, with peak periods at quarter-end, year-end, and during the annual audit.
• Manages time with reasonable flexibility outside of peak work periods.

PAY TRANSPARENCY

Expected Compensation:

• An annual base salary in the range of $75,000 to $85,000.
• The salary range listed complies with the Ontario Employment Standards Act and reflects a potential base salary range for this role.  The actual salary offered will be determined within the range, and will depend on factors, such as the candidate’s unique qualifications, relevant experience, work location and expected contributions.   

Job Vacancy Reason

• This position is a replacement role, on contract until March 2028.

Artificial Intelligence

• AI is not used during our hiring processes.

Applicant and Interviewee Communication

• We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.
• Applicants who have been interviewed will be informed whether a hiring decision has been made within 45 days of their final interview.

Record Retention 

• Job posting records and associated application forms will be retained for at least three years.

ABOUT CIRCULAR MATERIALS

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit producer responsibility organization (PRO) that supports producers in meeting their extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations across Canada. Created by producers for producers, we design, ,  and deliver effective recycling programs that drive advance innovation, improve environmental outcomes and create value across the recycling supply chain.

Through full-service program delivery,  including collection, management, promotion, education, and reporting, we are advancing systems where more materials are recycled and returned to producers for use in new packaging and products. 

Learn more at circularmaterials.ca. 

Circular Materials is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a workforce that reflects diversity of thought, skills, experiences,  and backgrounds as we work together to accelerate a circular economy for people and the planet.

Our inclusive hiring practices aim to foster a culture where all employees feel a strong sense of belonging. We are proud of our recent diversity survey results which showed that: 

• 54% of Circular Materials employees identify as women.
• 50% of Circular Materials employees identify as visible minorities.
• 90% of employees believe Circular Materials fosters a strong sense of belonging for employees of all backgrounds. 
• 86% of employees recommend Circular Materials as an inclusive workplace.  

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  Circular Materials is committed to reconciliation and to advancing Indigenous representation and partnerships across our organization and programs.  We recognize that we operate on the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous Nations, and are dedicated to respecting Indigenous rights, governance, and contributions in our work and communities.

Circular Materials supports reasonable requests for accommodation in accordance with all applicable provincial accessibility standards. Requests for accommodation will be provided by Circular Materials through the recruitment and/or assessment processes, upon contacting humanresources@circularmaterials.ca. This email is only used for accommodation requests.