Accounts Payable Lead

About the role

The Accounts Payable Lead manages the company accounts payable process while providing day-to-day leadership, training, and workflow direction to the Accounts Payable team. This role performs the full range of AP Specialist duties—invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations—while ensuring the team meets deadlines, maintains accuracy, and follows company policy. The position plays a critical part in maintaining vendor relationships, optimizing cash flow, developing team members, and supporting overall financial operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert of procure-to-pay best practices.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, training, and workflow direction to Accounts Payable Specialists.
• Assign and review team members' work to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Onboard and train new AP team members on processes, systems, and company procedures.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for complex invoice, payment, or reconciliation issues.
• Support the AP Manager with month-end close activities, reporting, and process-improvement initiatives.
• Receive, review, and process invoices accurately and efficiently, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Obtain necessary approvals and verify coding and documentation for proper account allocation.
• Prepare and process payments, including checks, wire transfers, ACH payments, and electronic payments, in accordance with payment terms and vendor agreements.
• Reconcile accounts payable transactions and statements, resolving discrepancies and ensuring accuracy of balances.
• Investigate and resolve outstanding items, such as unmatched invoices or vendor credits.
• Review freight invoices for accuracy and dispute charges when certain criteria have been met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Management is preferred, but not required.
• 5+ years of Accounts Payable experience preferred, including prior experience training, mentoring, or leading others.
• 10-key calculator skills, by touch.

Benefits

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance with company contributions
• Company HSA Contributions
• Add-on Insurance Options: Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.
• Free Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 access
• Generous paid time off (PTO) that increases with tenure, plus company-paid holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off: Give back to our community & get paid!
• Retirement Options with no Vesting Requirements

Location: Columbia, Missouri