Accounts Payable Manager (Contract)

Gay Lea Foods; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gay Lea Foods is seeking an Accounts Payable Manager for a 14‑month contract in Ontario, Toronto area. The role leads the AP function, drives process improvements, and supports month-end close and audit readiness.

The successful candidate will manage vendor relationships, cash flow, and payments, while building an optimized, scalable department and ensuring compliance with corporate policies. Salary range CAD 90,200–CAD 140,200 is provided.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounts payable experience.
• Proven ability to manage people and motivate others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook).
• ERP system experience; Microsoft Dynamics preferred.
• Knowledge of accounts payable best practices and procedures.
• Customer-focused approach to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking and analytical skills.
• Able to work both in a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain AP policies and procedures.
• Lead the AP team with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Operations, IT to optimize P2P processes and cash flow.
• Research and implement best-in-class AP practices for our size and growth.
• Monitor vendor payments, reconciliations, and analyses.
• Lead training and upskilling for AP staff on new technologies.
• Present AP metrics and cash flow reports to leadership.
• Ensure payments comply with policies and correct G/L coding.
• Assist with internal and external audit inquiries.
• Maintain documentation for invoices and vendor data.
• Ad-hoc duties as required.

Skills

Accounts payable

People management

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

College diploma or university degree in accounting

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Status: Contract 14 months (full-time hours)

The pay range for the role is $90,200 - $140,200.

Purpose:

Reporting to the Controller, the Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for leading the Accounts Payable function that ensures accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across all payment processes. This role goes beyond day-to-day administration - focusing on building an optimized, scalable department through process improvements, automation, and best-in-class practices. The Manager will oversee cash management, vendor relationships, expense controls, and payment governance, while driving initiatives that enhance operational excellence and support organizational growth. The Manager will play a key role in month-end close activities, journal entries, and audit readiness, ensuring robust financial controls and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain systems, policies, and procedures within the AP department
• Lead the Accounts Payable team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Procurement, Operations, IT, etc.) to streamline and improve P2P (Procure-to-Pay) processes and optimize cash flow
• Research and implement best-in-class AP practices for an organization of our size, scale and growth trajectory
• Monitor and supervise payments to vendors, review the payment proposals and monthly reconciliations and analysis
• Implement robust vendor management and fraud prevention measures.
• Lead training and upskilling programs for AP staff to adapt to new technologies and processes.
• Prepare and present AP metrics and reports, including aging reports, cash flow projections, and vendor spend analyses as required by leadership and business partners
• Ensure that all payments are compliant with corporate policies and procedures which include proper approval and correct G/L coding
• Assist with internal and external audit inquiries
• Maintain a robust process/system for file documentation, which include invoices, receipts, vendor banking information, vendor credit applications and other documents as required
• Ad-hoc duties as required

Qualifications:

• College diploma or university degree in the field of business with a specialization in accounting preferred
• 5+ years of prior accounts payable experience
• Proven ability to manage people, motivate and influence others to work towards a common business and/or team goal
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
• Superior working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Previous ERP system experience, Microsoft Dynamics will be considered an asset
• Knowledge of Accounts Payable best practices, standard concepts, policies and procedures
• A customer focused approach to dealing with internal and external stakeholders
• Good organizational, multi-tasking, analytical and problem-solving skills, with an attention to detail
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment while being able to work independently

Gay Lea Foods is a Canadian, dairy farmer-owned cooperative with a clear purpose: to enrich life with dairy. Founded in 1958, the cooperative produces high-quality dairy products while creating lasting value for farming families, meaningful opportunities for employees, and positive impact in communities across Canada. As a cooperative, Gay Lea Foods believes that when the business succeeds, its members, people, and communities should succeed along with it. To learn more, visit gaylea.com.

Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.

Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.

Gay Lea Foods may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including screening and assessment.

We are currently accepting applications for this open position.

Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.

Wishing you all the best with your career search!