Team Leader, Accounts Payable

The Accounts Payable Lead plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Accounts Payable function. This position ensures the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of vendor invoices, payments, and related financial transactions. Serving as a trusted resource and subject matter expert, the AP Lead provides guidance and support to the AP team, identifies opportunities to improve processes and efficiency, maintains strong internal controls, and contributes to a successful month-end close.   Key Accountabilities Provide guidance and support to Accounts Payable specialists by serving as a resource for best practices, process knowledge, and day-to-day AP activities. Oversee the full cycle of accounts payable processes: invoice receipt, three-way matching, coding, approval workflows, and timely payments via check, ACH, wire, and credit card. Serve as point of escalation for Accounts Payable issues and provide support as needed to team. Act as the backup for the Accounts Payable Manager during periods of absence, helping ensure continuity of day-to-day operations. Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, SOX requirements (if applicable), and relevant tax regulations (e.g., 1099 reporting). Manage vendor relationships, including onboarding, statement reconciliations, dispute resolution, and maintaining accurate vendor master files. Review and approve high-value or complex invoices and payment requests. Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including accruals, aging analysis, and account reconciliations. Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and best practices to increase efficiency and reduce errors. Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Accounting, and other departments to resolve issues and streamline workflows. Prepare and analyze AP reports and metrics for management (aging reports, payment trends, early payment discounts, etc.). Assist with audits (internal and external) by providing documentation and explanations. Handle escalated issues and exceptions with a solutions-oriented approach. Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent 5 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 5+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience. Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable best practices, ERP systems (e.g., JDE, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar), and AP automation tools (e.g., Avid, Bill.com, Concur). Experience with 1099 reporting, sales and use tax, and vendor compliance requirements. Demonstrated ability to serve as a subject matter expert, provide guidance and mentorship to AP team members, and support process improvements in a fast-paced environment. Preferences 2+ years of experience in an a leadership role. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements                                                                                                                            Extended computer and display screen equipment usage Ability to push, pull, lift pounds unassisted. Stand / walk for extended period of time. Fine manipulation including handle touch object or tools and ability to handled controls to perform work. Ability to read and interpret materials, verbally communicate, and hear required. Other. Please describe Critical Success Factors                                                                                                                                                                 Customer Focus.   Identifies, prioritizes and anticipates customer needs and delivers relevant, value-add, solutions to meet and exceed them Results Driven. Internal drive toward action to efficiently, timely, and accurately achieve results. Sets high but achievable standards for self and others. Seeks opportunities to improve process and outcomes. Constantly reviews performance to identify areas to develop. Efficient.     Takes responsibility for own time and effectiveness.  Identifies what needs to be done and does it before being asked or before the situation requires it.  Able to work things out without having to be shown too often. Seeks opportunities to contribute appropriately without direction.  Communication.    Able to communicate information and ideas clearly and articulately both in oral and written form. Uses appropriate language, style and methods depending on audience and the purpose of communication. Able to convey complex information clearly. Anticipates the information that others will need. Expresses ideas effectively.  Practices attentive and active listening. Collaboration .  Actively supports and contributes to the success of the team. Actively encourages and practices collaboration and cooperation on the team.  Shares information and supports other team members. Can get things done with and through others and set realistic objectives. Seeks opportunities to develop others. Relationship Builder.   Develops, maintains, and strengthens strong partnerships with others internally and externally, cross functionally, in person and remotely. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving . Able to identify and separate out the key components of problems and situations. Able to manipulate and interpret information from a range of sources to spot patterns and trends in information and to deduce cause and effect from this. Can generate a range of creative solutions, evaluate, and choose the most appropriate option Improvement Driven.   Inspires and generates new solutions and approaches to issues and challenges to maximize efficiency and effectiveness through everyday practice of root cause analysis and critical thinking problem solving; Continually works to refine skills and abilities; Builds on ideas of others to come up with new ways to address issues or problems; Generates creative new solutions and approaches to issue