Vendor Relations Accounts Payable Specialist

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together.

Our talented finance team partners with every area of the business to drive results and provide financial expertise. We are passionate about analyzing and interpreting information to assess performance and provide guidance. Our team serves as a true partner and advisor to all our business leaders; working with them to accelerate the company’s profitability and growth.

Bring your accounts payable expertise to a highly collaborative role where your work will help keep vendor relationships strong and financial operations moving.  As a Vendor Relations Accounts Payable Specialist, you will manage complex invoice and reconciliation activity, investigate vendor issues, and partner with Merchandising, Supplier Relationship Managers, and Distribution and Fulfillment teams to deliver accurate, timely solutions.

What you will be doing:

• Perform complex accounts payable processes and transactions across multiple source systems.

• Reconcile and verify invoices, deductions, paybacks, purchases, inventory, receipts, and adjustments for accuracy.

• Process invoices to the appropriate ledger accounts, cross-reference purchase orders, identify missing information, verify delivery of goods or services, and adjust for returns.

• Investigate vendor issues, identify root causes, and educate partners on ways to reduce future disputes.

• Monitor vendor debit balances and participate in monthly merchant meetings focused on collections and accounts payable issues.

• Manage special-priority vendors and facilitate conference calls to resolve concerns and keep activity moving.

• Research, resolve, and process expense invoice exceptions for purchase order and non-purchase order activity in ePAS/Coupa.

• Research and correct aged invoices, aged credits, and vendor credit memos to ensure timely processing.

• Support merger and acquisition payables integration and offshore operations through quality-control and audit checks.

• Assist with internal check-processing reconciliations, meet performance targets, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

What You Bring to the Table:

• A strong customer-service mindset and the ability to build productive relationships with vendors and internal business partners.

• Advanced attention to detail with the ability to analyze transactions, identify discrepancies, and resolve complex issues.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including confidence leading discussions with cross-functional partners.

• Strong organization and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• A proactive, accountable approach to problem solving, quality control, and continuous process improvement.

What’s needed: Basic Qualifications:

• 2+ Years experience with a comprehensive understanding of accounts payable processes.

• 2+ Years experience with accounts payable systems and complex invoice-processing workflows.

• 2+ Years Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office.

• 1-2 years with Oracle Systems

• Understanding basic accounting processes.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ePAS/Coupa or similar purchase order and expense invoice-processing platforms.

• Experience with vendor reconciliations, debit balances, settlements, deductions, paybacks, and credit memos.

• Experience supporting payables integrations, offshore operations, quality-control reviews, or audit checks.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• Flexible PTO (14 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!