Accounts Payable Operations Lead

At Kraton, we make a +Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world. As a global manufacturer of sustainable specialty polymers and biobased pine chemicals, we deliver innovative, high-performance solutions.

About the role

The Accounts Payable Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact between the Company, its vendors, and the outsourced Accounts Payable service provider. This role focuses on coordination, issue resolution, quality control, and continuous improvement rather than transactional processing. It oversees day-to-day AP activities performed by the outsourcing partner, ensuring timely and accurate invoice processing and payments, resolving issues with internal stakeholders and vendors, and maintaining compliance with company policies and service level agreements (SLAs).

Responsibilities

• Outsourcing Partner Management
  • Act as the main liaison between the Company and the outsourced AP service provider
  • Coordinate daily AP activities to ensure adherence to agreed SLAs, KPIs, and timelines
  • Review performance metrics, error reports, and aging reports; escalate issues as required
  • Support transition activities, process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives with the outsourcing partner
  • Ensure proper documentation of AP processes, controls, and responsibilities (RACI)
• Vendor Interface & Issue Resolution
  • Serve as the primary contact for vendor inquiries related to invoices, payments, and account status
  • Investigate and resolve vendor issues in collaboration with the outsourcing provider and internal teams
  • Ensure vendor bank details are accurately verified via confirmation with vendors and/or with appropriate bank verification applications
  • Ensure professional and timely communication with vendors to maintain positive working relationships
  • Identify recurring vendor issues and work with stakeholders to implement corrective actions
• Internal Stakeholder Coordination
  • Partner with Procurement, Receiving, Operations, and Budget Owners to resolve invoice discrepancies and approval delays
  • Support internal users with AP-related questions, invoice submission guidance, and system navigation
  • Communicate policy requirements and process changes to internal stakeholders
• Controls, Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • Input payment information into Bank of America payment portal, as required
  • Perform quality checks on outsourced AP processing (invoice accuracy, coding, approvals, payments)
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards
  • Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, explanations, and status updates
  • Monitor duplicate payments, payment holds, and exception handling
• Reporting, Payment Forecasts & Analysis
  • Review AP aging, vendor statements, and exception reports prepared by the outsourcing partner
  • Provide payment forecasts to treasury for all payment runs
  • Provide regular status updates and actionable insights to Finance management
  • Assist with month-end close activities related to AP, including accruals and reconciliations
• Process Improvement & Change Management
  • Identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and automation opportunities in AP processes
  • Coordinate implementation of system enhancements, policy updates, and vendor process changes
  • Support onboarding of new vendors and integration into outsourced processes

Requirements

• 3–6 years of experience in Accounts Payable, Accounting Operations, or Shared Services
• Prior experience working with outsourced or shared services AP models strongly preferred
• Experience interacting with vendors and internal stakeholders in a coordination role
• Strong understanding of Accounts Payable processes and controls
• Proven ability to manage third-party service providers and meet SLAs
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong problem-solving and issue-resolution capabilities
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple issues in a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail with a control-oriented mindset
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday) and Microsoft Excel

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (preferred)

Benefits

• Medical Insurance, including TeleDoc - multiple plans available with Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account options
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Advocate – free support to help you understand your coverage and answer questions
• Life Insurance – base coverage paid for by Kraton with option for additional coverage
• 401k – Kraton provides matching contributions based on enrollment level
• Employee Assistance Program – provided at no cost to employees
• Accident, Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance