Accounts Payable Lead: Hands-On & Process Optimizer

Gelmart International / Rafar Group; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rafar Group Companies, Gelmart's wholesale and manufacturing umbrella, seeks an Accounts Payable Lead to drive accurate payables, timely payments, and strong controls. You will lead the AP Support member, optimize processes, and ensure an auditable, efficient AP function across brands.

You will collaborate with vendors and internal partners, resolve discrepancies, and push for continuous improvements using AI-enabled invoice capture and workflow tools.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of accounts payable experience with invoice processing and vendor reconciliation.
• Experience supervising or training a support team member and managing priorities.
• Experience matching invoices to POs/receipts and supporting month-end close.
• Knowledge of payment approvals, positive pay, and separation of duties.
• Strong Excel, data analysis, and ability to improve manual processes.
• Experience with freight, customs, or multi-currency payments is a plus.
• Familiarity with ERP systems like Dynamics 365 BC or NetSuite preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive, code, and enter vendor invoices. Match invoices to purchase orders and receipts where applicable, obtain required approvals, and resolve missing documents or discrepancies before payment.
• Prepare and process scheduled payment runs under the approved authorization process. Follow the approval matrix, maintain positive pay controls, and preserve separation between payment preparation and approval.
• Maintain vendor records, including setup, updates, W-9 forms, and tax documentation. Check for duplicates and follow controls when payment information changes.
• Reconcile vendor statements, investigate credits and payment discrepancies, and communicate with vendors and internal partners about holds and outstanding items.
• Prepare accrual support, reconcile AP to the general ledger, and resolve cutoff differences. Prepare AP audits and respond to audit requests with Senior Accounting Manager.
• Assign daily work to the AP Support team member, provide training and feedback, review their work, and maintain procedures and backups while staying involved in daily AP tasks.
• Identify opportunities to automate recurring work; use approved AI tools for invoice capture, matching, and workflows; validate outputs and maintain audit trails.
• Own weekly EOS scorecard updates for assigned AP measures; highlight exceptions and action plans in team meetings.

Skills

Accounts payable

Vendor reconciliation

Team supervision

Excel

Data analysis

Internal controls

Month-end close

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Dynamics 365 BC

NetSuite

Job description

Rafar Group Companies, Gelmart's wholesale and manufacturing umbrella, seeks an Accounts Payable Lead to drive accurate payables, timely payments, and strong controls. You will lead the AP Support member, optimize processes, and ensure an auditable, efficient AP function across brands.

You will collaborate with vendors and internal partners, resolve discrepancies, and push for continuous improvements using AI-enabled invoice capture and workflow tools.