Accounts Payable Manager

Interim Accounts Payable Manager (Contract)

About the role
Our client is a large, fast-moving organization with complex operations. They need an experienced Accounts Payable leader on an interim basis to keep AP running smoothly during a transition. You’ll lead the AP team day to day, make sure invoices are processed on time and payments are accurate, and keep strong financial controls in place. You’ll also spot ways to make the process more efficient and consistent.

What you’ll do

AP operations

• Oversee daily AP operations: invoice intake, validation, matching, coding, approvals, and payment preparation
• Make sure PO and non-PO invoices are processed accurately and on time, following established policies
• Monitor invoice queues, aging, exceptions, and payment deadlines, and manage backlogs and escalations
• Prioritize critical, time-sensitive vendor payments that support business operations

Team leadership

• Lead, direct, and support the AP team day to day
• Manage workload, staffing coverage, and priorities
• Track productivity, service levels, and processing performance
• Guide the team through complex invoice issues and discrepancies

Vendor and stakeholder management

• Resolve vendor inquiries, payment discrepancies, and outstanding invoice issues
• Partner with Procurement, Treasury, Accounting, and business teams to resolve problems quickly
• Maintain strong vendor relationships with timely communication and follow-up

Financial controls and close

• Ensure compliance with AP policies, approval authority, segregation of duties, and internal controls
• Oversee vendor master data and supporting documentation
• Support month-end and year-end close, including accruals, reconciliations, and reporting
• Help with internal and external audit requests

Reporting and process improvement

• Track AP metrics: invoice aging, cycle times, exception rates, payment timeliness, and productivity
• Give management regular updates on operations, open issues, and performance
• Recommend practical improvements to workflows, procedures, and automation
• Support ERP enhancements and transformation projects as needed

What you bring

• 5+ years of progressive AP experience, including supervisory or management experience
• Experience leading high-volume AP operations and teams
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end invoice processing, PO and non-PO workflows, vendor management, payments, and internal controls
• Hands-on experience with an ERP system such as Oracle or SAP
• Strong problem-solving, organization, communication, and leadership skills
• Comfortable juggling competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred, or equivalent experience

Nice to have

• Experience in transportation, logistics, or other complex, high-volume operational industries
• AP experience across multiple locations, business units, or legal entities
• Experience with ERP implementations, process improvement, and invoice automation
• Able to quickly assess existing processes and set priorities

What success looks like

• AP runs without interruption and meets service levels
• Invoices are processed and vendors are paid on time and accurately
• Backlogs and aging items go down
• Vendor and internal escalations get resolved
• Financial controls are applied consistently and month-end close is accurate
• Practical process improvements are identified and communicated