Accounts Payable Manager

About Us:
Since 1935, we’ve been on a mission to bring a little extra happiness to everyday life and inspire connections over food. We select the finest ingredients the world has to offer, craft premium products made with love, and never settle for shortcuts. We believe that when we share our food, we share a part of ourselves — and that’s the only way we’d put our name on it.

Today, our small family company has grown into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces under the leadership of CEO Jeff Mezzetta, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. With an 80-year legacy behind us and a bright future ahead, we’re seeking passionate, driven candidates to help us bring our cherished family traditions to a new generation.

The ideal candidate will have an immediate connection to our Core Ingredients:

• Crunchy Crunchy: We are hungry for excellence.
• Own It: We think and act as an owner – with appetite, initiative, and responsibility.
• Connection: We build authentic relationships that foster trust and open communications.
• Vibrance: We come to work eager and passionate about fulfilling our vision. When we share our work, we share a part of who we are.

The Accounts Payable Manager will manage the day-to-day activities of the accounts payable department and oversee accurate and timely processing of invoices. This hands-on role will be able to scale and make process improvements with a high volume of invoices, transactions and vendors, while maintaining compliance with internal controls. This role will work cross-functionally and collaborate with key business partners throughout the Company. The Company plans to implement technology to help build an efficient and scalable accounts payable operation. The ideal candidate will embrace and be heavily involved with the implementation of these technologies and adopt best practices necessary to become a best-in-class accounts payable function.

Responsibilities:

• Manage invoice entry, validation, approval routing and processing of invoices and employee expenses in adherence with Company policies and controls to ensure timely and authorized payment (including checks, ACH and wires). Experience with processing oversea vendors invoices is a plus.
• Supervise and mentor the Accounts Payable team, train and evaluate Team Members to enhance their performance, development, and work product.
• Coordinate with the Procurement team, including buyers and receivers, to ensure efficient and accurate purchase order processing and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Maintain effective relationships with business partners and vendors through timely and accurate response to inquiries.
• Oversee the Corporate Card program, travel and entertainment and purchasing expenses, ensuring credit card charges and expenses are valid and authorized in compliance with Company policies and controls.
• Review and reconcile payable reports, including accrued receipts reports, and prepare analysis and reconciliation of vendor accounts to ensure accurate and timely GL posting.
• Responsible for supporting accurate and timely completion of AP and Purchasing month-end closing process.
• Review capital and project authorization requests submissions for compliance with Company policies collaborating with the Plant Controller.
• Support the Assistant Controller in maintaining accurate vendor master files by gathering and filing supporting documentation (i.e. contracts, W-9 forms, certificates of insurance, new vendor forms, ACH forms).
• Supervise preparation of annual 1099, use tax, state escheatment, and other AP compliance reporting requirements, including assisting with audit schedules for external auditors as needed.
• Develop and maintain AP related metrics and KPIs to guide operational decision making through daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, and identify and escalate priority issues timely to management.
• Act as a subject matter expert for all AP related duties, processes, policies and controls, and lead efforts to implement new technology, identifying areas that can be moved to an electronic platform and execute change as needed (i.e. invoice entry automation using OCR technology, PO and invoice approval routing)

Requirements:

• 5-7 years of experience with at least 2 years of management of an AP team of 2 or more.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field preferred.
• Experience using a modern ERP system required, specifically IFS ERP is plus.
• Experience in the food and beverage industry or other CPG industry is plus.
• Intermediate skills in Excel and other Microsoft office programs.
• Strong managerial skills with proven success in managing and developing a high performing team
• Willingness to work extended hours when needed, especially as the organization undergoes system and process modernization.
• Strong communication skills, written and oral, with ability to communicate with employees at all levels.
• Proven track record in making improvements in all areas of AP practices and policies.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must manage multiple priorities well and handle projects with short deadlines with extreme attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment.

Pay Range

$105,000—$115,000 USD

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace:
At Mezzetta, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where you know you belong. Part of that commitment includes a zero-tolerance policy and being an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Mezzetta are solely based on merit, qualifications, abilities and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, family or parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. All of us share in the responsibility of fulfilling this commitment and creating a culture where our team can thrive.