Accounts Payable Clerk

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc.; Cloquet (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Lakes Foods in Cloquet, MN is seeking an Accounts Payable Specialist to ensure accurate payment of invoices, match purchase orders, and maintain precise vendor records. You will process invoices, enter data into the accounting system, issue checks, and support monthly close with reporting and analyses, while delivering excellent internal and external service.

Comfort with decimals, discounts, and working with vendor inquiries will help you keep payments on schedule and strengthen our

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and some related accounting experience.
• Strong numerical skills and accuracy in data entry.
• Proficient with MS Office and ability to enter and manage financial information.
• Ability to communicate with vendors and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Review invoices and match with PO and receipts.
• Resolve discrepancies with vendors and internal teams.
• Enter invoices into the accounting system and process payments.
• Prepare accounts payable checks and maintain electronic records.
• Respond to vendor questions and prepare reports.
• Assist with monthly close and account analyses.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Vendor communication

Teamwork

Data entry accuracy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Accounting software

Job description

Join a Team That Keeps Business Moving

At Upper Lakes Foods, every invoice processed and every payment made on time helps keep our customers supplied and our business running smoothly. As an Accounts Payable Specialist, you will play an important role behind the scenes by ensuring vendors are paid accurately, records are maintained, and financial processes are completed with precision. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys organization, problem-solving, and working with both numbers and people.

What You'll Do

Your day will begin by reviewing invoices and matching them with purchase orders and items received to ensure every charge is accurate. When discrepancies arise, you'll work with vendors, brokers, and internal departments to quickly resolve issues and keep payments on schedule.

You’ll enter invoices into the accounting system with accuracy, process payments within discount terms whenever possible, prepare accounts payable checks, and maintain electronic records by scanning and filing invoices. Along the way, you’ll answer vendor questions, bill vendors for samples, prepare reports and account analyses, and assist the accounting team during monthly closing activities.

Success in this role comes from paying close attention to detail, staying organized, and maintaining positive relationships with vendors and coworkers. You’ll also complete additional projects and assignments as needed to support the department and the company.

What You Bring

You have a high school diploma or equivalent and some related experience or training in an office or accounting environment. More importantly, you enjoy working with numbers, have strong organizational skills, and understand the importance of accuracy.

You communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing, and are comfortable speaking with vendors and internal team members. You possess solid mathematical skills, including working with decimals, percentages, discounts, and basic calculations. You’re also proficient with Microsoft Office and can confidently use computer systems to enter and manage financial information.

What Success Looks Like

The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to meeting deadlines. You take pride in producing accurate work, maintaining organized records, and providing excellent customer service to both internal and external partners. You build positive working relationships and continually strive to improve your knowledge and skills while contributing to the success of the accounting team.

Work Environment

This position is based in a professional office environment equipped with computers, filing systems, and standard office equipment. Most of the work is performed while sitting and using a computer, with occasional standing, bending, stooping, filing, and lifting materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Upper Lakes Foods

Upper Lakes Foods is the largest independent wholesale food distributor in Minnesota, serving customers throughout the Upper Midwest from facilities in Cloquet, Minnesota; Northfield, Minnesota; and Janesville, Wisconsin.

For generations, we have partnered with independent restaurants, schools, assisted living communities, and national and regional foodservice chains by delivering quality products with exceptional customer service. Our mission is simple: to create value for every customer, employee, supplier, and community we serve by bringing the best products, the best people, and the best ideas.

If you're looking for an opportunity where accuracy, teamwork, and customer service make a real impact, we'd love to have you join our team.

CORE VALUES

• Strong Work Ethic – We believe in the value of hard work, perseverance and consistency of character.
• Positive Attitude – We believe in encouraging a flexible, agreeable and well-adjusted work existence that promotes successful outcomes.
• Integrity – We believe in honesty, truthfulness and consistency of our actions.
• Team Work – We believe that work done by several individuals combined insures excellence of quality, safety and service.
• Professional Appearance – We believe in maintaining an appearance that promotes good hygiene, neatness and appropriate business dress.
• Respectful Interaction – We believe in creating a workplace where employees are treated fairly in a safe and positive environment.

"We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin."

Final candidates are required to successfully complete a background check, pre-employment lift evaluations (if applicable) and pre-employment drug screening prior to their employment start date.
All offers of employment are conditional and contingent upon the Company's receipt of satisfactory results from a comprehensive background investigation and a negative result on a pre-employment lift evaluation and drug screen.
Failure to successfully complete either requirement may result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, and local law.