LGS Accounts Payable Specialist

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Excellent retirement plans

Paid holidays and generous time off

Job summary

The University of Minnesota, Lions Gift of Sight department, seeks a detail-oriented purchasing and accounts payable specialist to manage requests, vendor invoices, and blanket POs. You will support administrative tasks, monitor spending, and ensure policy compliance within a dynamic health-related unit.

You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, coordinate with the Office of the General Counsel on purchases, and help maintain accurate financial records and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with several years of accounts experience.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Proficient in Google Suite, especially Sheets for data reporting.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional integrity.
• Capable of writing clear purchasing justifications with detail.
• Attention to detail and task follow-through is essential.
• Shows ownership and initiative for process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as expert on purchasing methods, processes, and requirements.
• Process vendor invoices and maintain proper funding and approvals.
• Set up blanket POs and track forecasted volumes for the year.
• Maintain supplier data in EFS and address discrepancies promptly.
• Provide general administrative and financial support to the team.
• Organize spending for Lions Gift of Sight and forecast monthly expenses.
• Reference University purchasing policies and participate in committees.

Skills

High organization

Problem solving

Communication

Google Suite

Independent work

Purchasing justifications

Attention to detail

Proactive ownership

Education

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor’s degree + 2 years experience or 6 years total

Tools

PeopleSoft

Financial software

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

Purchasing - 35%:

Serve as the business unit expert on University of Minnesota purchasing methods, processes, and requirements.

Monitor LGS Purchasing form and complete purchase requests in a timely and accurate manner.

Serve as a Purchasing Card (PCard) holder, overseeing assigned transactions and ensuring compliance with University policies and guidelines.

Facilitate check requests, refunds and other various purchasing duties as needed.

Facilitate Legal reviews with the Office of the General Counsel for purchases, as required.

Facilitate Vendor Risk Assessments with University Information Security for purchases, as required.

Support for and ordering of routine marketing and communications materials and ensure that branding requirements are met.

Meet regularly with internal stakeholders to understand and anticipate upcoming purchasing needs or significant fluctuations in spending across laboratory, research, communications, etc.

Accounts Payable - 30%:

Process vendor invoices for payment in an accurate and efficient manner, ensuring proper funding and approvals as required and in accordance with University of Minnesota policies.

Create annual blanket Purchase Orders with proper documentation, and signatures (as required) to accurately reflect forecasted purchasing volumes for the Fiscal Year.

Track spending on blanket POs and update as needed.

Set up and maintain suppliers in the PeopleSoft Enterprise Financial System (EFS).

Proactively follow up with suppliers, requesting account statements, to ensure accounts remain current and resolve any payment discrepancies or issues.

Investigate and resolve vendor queries in a timely manner, maintaining positive relationships with suppliers.

General Administrative and Financial Support - 35%:

Manage assigned tasks in the LGS Financial Dashboard, including weekly monitoring items, blanket PO tracking, and other financial tracking activities to support accurate and timely financial operations.

Oversee unit computer inventory, including tracking, assignment, ordering, and distribution.

Provide general backup support for the administrative team, including event support and assist with additional purchasing activities for the department as needed.

Organize, track, and monitor spending for Lions Gift of Sight.

Forecast and report monthly expenses in coordination with the LGS Business Operations Manager, providing accurate and comprehensive financial data.

Verify monthly invoice to Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation with EFS data.

Understand and reference the University of Minnesota purchasing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance at all times.

Represent the administrative team on internal committees as needed, actively participate in meetings and provide input.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Qualifications (Required)

• High school diploma/GED and four years of general accounts transaction experience. Training may be substituted for some of years of experience.
• Strong organizational skills, able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in using Google Suite, including, Email, Calendars, Chat, and particularly Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, displaying a high level of professionalism and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, complete and concise purchasing justifications.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to effectively track outstanding items, maintain follow-through on tasks, and provide prompt follow-up as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of responsibilities, think proactively beyond transactional tasks, and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Qualifications (Preferred):

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) plus at least two years of professional work experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years.
• Proven experience in accounts payable or a similar financial role, demonstrating strong knowledge of accounts payable principles, practices, and procedures.
• Proficiency in financial software and systems, including experience with PeopleSoft.

About the Department

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. Put simply, all of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals.

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) was established after the partnership between the Lions and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences came to life in 1960, providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and promoting donation through education. Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 22,000 people by providing cornea tissue for transplantation and is one of the largest and most successful eye banks in the world.

Pay Range: $24.99-$36.34 per hour; and we anticipate most offers will be around the midpoint of this range $28.05-$31.49 per hour, depending on education and experience.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.