Accounts Payable Lead

Columbia Safety and Supply; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision & Dental Insurance with

HSA contributions

Add‑on insurance options

Free Employee Assistance Program

Generous PTO & holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off

Job summary

Columbia Safety and Supply is seeking an Accounts Payable Lead in Columbia, Missouri. You will manage the AP process, lead and train the AP team, and ensure timely, accurate invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations in line with company policy.

You will also support month-end close, optimize cash flow, and maintain vendor relationships while developing team members for broader financial operations.

Qualifications

• Subject matter expert of procure to pay best practices.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, training, and workflow direction to Accounts Payable Specialists.
• Assign and review team members' work to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Onboard and train new AP team members on processes, systems, and company procedures.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for complex invoice, payment, or reconciliation issues.
• Support the AP Manager with month-end close activities, reporting, and process-improvement initiatives.
• Receive, review, and process invoices accurately and efficiently, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Obtain necessary approvals and verify coding and documentation for proper account allocation.
• Prepare and process payments, including checks, wire transfers, ACH payments, and electronic payments.
• Reconcile accounts payable transactions and statements, resolving discrepancies and ensuring accuracy of balances.
• Investigate and resolve outstanding items, such as unmatched invoices or vendor credits.
• Review freight invoices for accuracy and dispute charges when certain criteria have been met.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AP team to meet deadlines and maintain accuracy.
• Oversee invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations.
• Support month-end close and reporting activities.
• Ensure proper approvals, coding, and documentation.
• Maintain vendor relationships and optimize cash flow.

Skills

Procure to Pay (P2P) expertise

Team leadership/mentoring

Invoice processing & payments

Month-end close support

Vendor relations & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

Job description

Description

The Accounts Payable Lead is responsible for managing the company accounts payable process while also providing day-to-day leadership, training, and workflow direction to the Accounts Payable team. This role continues to perform the full range of AP Specialist duties — invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations — while also ensuring the team meets deadlines, maintains accuracy, and follows company policy. This role plays a critical part in maintaining vendor relationships, optimizing cash flow, developing team members, and supporting overall financial operations.

Department: Finance

Location: Columbia, Missouri

Requirements for success

• Subject matter expert of procure to pay best practices.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, training, and workflow direction to Accounts Payable Specialists.
• Assign and review team members work to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Onboard and train new AP team members on processes, systems, and company procedures.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for complex invoice, payment, or reconciliation issues.
• Support the AP Manager with month-end close activities, reporting, and process-improvement initiatives.
• Receive, review, and process invoices accurately and efficiently, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Obtain necessary approvals and verify coding and documentation for proper account allocation.
• Prepare and process payments, including checks, wire transfers, ACH payments, and electronic payments, in accordance with payment terms and vendor agreements.
• Reconcile accounts payable transactions and statements, resolving discrepancies and ensuring accuracy of balances.
• Investigate and resolve outstanding items, such as unmatched invoices or vendor credits.
• Review freight invoices for accuracy and dispute charges when certain criteria have been met.

Ideal candidate qualities include

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Management is preferred, but not required.
• 5+ years of Accounts Payable experience preferred, including prior experience training, mentoring, or leading others.
• 10-key calculator skills, by touch.

Why it's great to build your career with us!

We are a tight-knit group, and we understand the needs of our teammates. This personal connection allows us to strategically design competitive benefits packages that enhance the employee experience and support overall well-being. Some of our benefits:

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance with company contributions
  • Company HSA Contributions
  • Add On Insurance Options: Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.
• Free Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 access
• Generous paid time off (PTO) that increases with tenure, plus company-paid holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off: Give back to our community & get paid!
• Retirement Options with no Vesting Requirements

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The GMES family of companies provides to individuals of all races, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital, and veteran status, equal employment opportunities within our dynamic growth plans.