Accounts Payable Team Lead

Busch Vacuum Solutions is a leading manufacturer of vacuum pumps, compressors, and blowers for industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, food processing, metallurgy, biomedical, and material handling. This position is based at our U.S. headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

About the role

The Accounts Payable Team Lead plays a key role in aligning the Accounts Payable team around consistent processes, accurate work, clear expectations, and timely results. This hands-on position serves as a resource for team members, providing day-to-day guidance, supporting complex invoice and payment issue resolution, and ensuring consistent handling of invoices, payments, GL coding, and cost center coding across the department. The Team Lead collaborates with Accounting, Purchasing, Receiving, business departments, and vendors to resolve issues, strengthen internal controls, streamline processes, and promote continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Help align daily Accounts Payable activities, priorities, and coverage to support consistent processes and established deadlines.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for team members when questions, exceptions, or complex invoice and payment issues arise.
• Provide coaching, cross-training, and day-to-day guidance to improve accuracy, accountability, knowledge sharing, and business continuity.
• Reinforce approved procedures, documentation standards, internal controls, and consistent processing practices.
• Review complex or higher-risk transactions and help determine the appropriate resolution or escalation path.
• Research recurring invoice, workflow, coding, and payment issues, identify root causes, and coordinate practical corrective actions.
• Partner with Purchasing, Receiving, Accounting, business departments, and vendors to resolve discrepancies and clarify ownership.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, checklists, coding guidance, and training materials for core AP activities.
• Evaluate AP processes and identify opportunities to reduce manual rework, inconsistent handling, unnecessary steps, and avoidable delays.
• Support the testing and implementation of SAP S/4HANA, SAP VIM, workflow, automation, and other process improvements.
• Develop and maintain clear GL account, cost center, internal order, and transaction coding guidance in partnership with Accounting and business owners.
• Perform periodic reviews of GL, cost center, internal order, and tax coding to identify inconsistencies, trends, and training opportunities.
• Process, enter, and review PO and non-PO invoices in SAP S/4HANA and related workflow systems for accuracy, approvals, pricing, tax, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare or review payment proposals for ACH, wire, check, and foreign payments while confirming payment terms, blocks, documentation, and required approvals.
• Reconcile vendor statements, resolve outstanding balances, and support timely responses to vendor and internal customer inquiries.
• Support month-end close activities, aging reviews, account reconciliations, accruals, and resolution of open AP items.
• Monitor AP indicators including invoice aging, processing accuracy, exception volume, duplicate prevention, payment timeliness, blocked invoices, and unresolved statement items.
• Ensure adherence to segregation of duties, approval authority, payment controls, vendor master controls, and document-retention requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, explaining processes and controls, and assisting with corrective actions.
• Cross-train within the department and provide backup support for critical AP activities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Four (4) or more years of Accounts Payable or related accounting experience, including experience resolving complex invoice and payment issues.
• Prior team lead, training, project leadership, or workflow coordination experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of GL accounts, cost centers, internal orders, accruals, account reconciliations, and internal-control principles.
• Manufacturing or similarly complex, high-volume environment experience preferred.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA preferred, but not required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and PDF software.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills with a focus on accuracy and consistency.
• Ability to provide effective day-to-day guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing to team members.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Process-improvement mindset with the ability to identify recurring issues and practical solutions.
• Strong awareness of internal controls and the importance of consistent accounting processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Accounting, Purchasing, Receiving, business departments, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• High level of accountability, integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
• Ability and willingness to pass a 10-panel drug screen and 7-year criminal history check (most felonies are a disqualifier; misdemeanors are considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Willingness and ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Willingness to travel domestically for training.
• Valid Driver’s License must be maintained throughout employment that meets Busch insurance standards.
• Current work authorization in the United States (visa sponsorship is not available for this position).

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, computer use, walking, and speaking.
• Occasional standing, reaching, bending, and lifting.
• Ability to lift and carry office materials weighing up to 20 lbs. occasionally.
• Flexibility may be required during month-end close, payment cycles, audits, system changes, and other high-volume periods.
• Ability to hear and see audible and visual alarms and wear required PPE, as applicable.

Pay

Targeted compensation for this position starts at $31.00 per hour, with final compensation determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, skills, and relevant experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time, fully onsite position, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with flexibility required based on business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and paid training/certifications.
• Legal Plan.
• 401K retirement plan.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company, including promoting from within.

Work Environment

Moderately controlled manufacturing environment with moderate noise levels, fumes, and airborne particles, while working near moving mechanical parts. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.