Description

TITLE: Manager, Accounts Payable

REPORTS TO: Financial Controller 

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is currently seeking candidates to join our team in Chicago. 

Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.

If you’re looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on responsibility, and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!

Lactalis Heritage Dairy: inviting you to share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE.

From your PASSION to ours

The Associate Manager, Accounts Payable is responsible for the overall daily management of an assigned department and its employees. This position oversees the department’s daily work, implements policies and procedures and recommends improvements. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and coaching employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Manages the AP team at corporate and ensures the function is adequately staffed and run efficiently.
• Liaises with Plant Controllers to ensure that supplier invoices are booked timely and reviews three way matching complete before scheduling payment.
• Reviews master data changes to supplier information and ensures adequate internal controls in place over master data changes. 
• Ensures tasks assigned to team members are efficient such that supplier payments are made accurately, on time and within terms. 
• On a daily basis reviews accounts payable aging and provides an update to Corporate Controller and Director of Accounting
• Manages the monthly close of Accounts Payable to include, preparation of search for unrecorded liabilities, reporting, General Ledger support and AP statistics.
• Reviews invoices and supporting paperwork for completeness and appropriate authorizations in accordance with Finance Policies and Procedures.
• Maintains departmental E-mail box to ensure timely and accurate entry of all invoices received
• Code and Enter AP invoices
• Prepare, review and distribute payment proposals for final review and approval to the Director of Accounting
• Lead person to provide AP information needed during the month end and audit processes.
• Reviews work done by staff on reconciling vendor accounts to vendor statements.
• Responsible for resolving inquiries that have elevated to Manager level pertaining to the Accounts Payable function promptly and courteously. 
• Responsible for managing cash disbursements by balancing disbursement proposals with incoming cash, forecasting cash disbursements, and meet monthly and year end targets for AP DSO. 
• Responsible for all AP business process documentation (BPP) and keeping this up to date
• Continually review processes, make recommendations, create policies and implement processes to improve AP efficiencies.
• Review and make recommendations for AP process automation and utilization of tools to improve efficiencies. 
• Keep up with all compliance issues and relevant research as it pertains to the Accounts Payable function.
• Selects and hires AP Specialists. Responsible for training AP Specialists in key job responsibilities and duties.
• Evaluates AP Specialists annual reviews. Address performances issues and take corrective actions.
• Constantly reviews relevant KPI’s pertaining to the AP function
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Associates degree or equivalent experience required; 
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred; or equivalent experience to include a minimum of five (5) years job related experience

Experience

• 3 years Management experience required
• 3 years related experience required
• Experience in Food Industry preferred

Specialized Knowledge

• Experience in SAP preferred 

Skills / Abilities

• Proficient in Excel 
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Must be dependable and be able to work well in a team environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to learn new software
• Must be dependable and be able to work well independently