Sr. Accounts Payable Specialist

Core Functions

• Execute a disciplined accounts payable process and maintain strong vendor, payment, and control support so Finance leadership can rely on accurate, timely, and well-documented AP operations.
• AP Processing & Payment Execution:
  • Own the end-to-end accounts payable process from invoice receipt through payment.
  • Ensure invoices are accurately coded, properly approved, and processed on time.
  • Manage ACH, checks, wires, employee reimbursements, and vendor payments in accordance with company policy.
  • Resolve invoice discrepancies, payment questions, and vendor inquiries with timely follow-up.
• Working Capital & Cash Management:
  • Support DPO improvement initiatives through disciplined payment timing, terms compliance, and vendor coordination.
  • Aid in weekly cash requirement forecasting and upcoming payment visibility.
  • Identify opportunities to capture discounts, extend terms where appropriate, and reduce unnecessary early payments.
  • Partner with Finance leadership to support cash flow planning and working capital optimization.
• Vendor Master Data & Internal Controls:
  • Maintain vendor master file integrity and support appropriate segregation of duties.
  • Validate vendor additions, changes, tax information, and banking updates before processing.
  • Monitor duplicate payments, unusual activity, aged items, and control exceptions.
  • Maintain organized documentation to support audit readiness and fraud prevention controls.
• Dynamics 365 Optimization, Payables Software, & Process Improvement:
  • Serve as an AP subject matter expert within Dynamics 365 and related AP workflow tools (Chrome River, Exflow, etc).
  • Drive workflow adoption, reduce manual touchpoints, and identify automation opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain SOPs, checklists, templates, and standard work for recurring AP processes.
  • Escalate system issues, process gaps, and improvement opportunities to Finance leadership.
• Month-End Close Support:
  • Prepare AP aging support, accrual inputs, liability analysis, and reconciliations as assigned.
  • Ensure AP-related close deliverables are completed on time and supported with clear documentation.
  • Provide schedules and backup for audit requests, vendor inquiries, and management review.
  • Clock in and out timing and documentation issues.
• Team Support & Standard Work:
  • Promote clear ownership, documented procedures, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Support onboarding, cross-training, and coverage planning to ensure dependable AP throughput.
  • Monitor AP KPIs including invoice cycle time, past-due payables, discounts captured, exceptions, and duplicate payment risk.
  • Point person for organization for all AP related items, communication, and follow up on timely expense approval and submission of invoices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounts payable experience; senior AP, AP lead, or high-volume processing experience preferred.
• Experience in a distribution, wholesale, paper, packaging, or multi-location environment preferred.
• Strong ERP knowledge; Microsoft Dynamics 365, Chrome River, Exflow, experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with AP aging, vendor data, reconciliations, and payment reporting.
• Strong organizational, communication, follow-through, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to support process improvement, automation, documentation, and internal control initiatives.
• Ability to work onsite in Cleveland, OH and collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Purchasing, Operations, Sales, and vendors.