Accounts Payable Manager / Finance Accounting Manager

Company Description

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood, NJ; Hillside, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA.  Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN.  We are committed to maintaining a progressive workplace by utilizing the ideas, skills and talents of all of our employees.  We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

Job Description

As a key member of the Finance management team, this role is responsible for managing the accuracy and timeliness of Accounts Payable disbursements, communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective resolution. This role will manage the coordination of internal and external audits in the procure to pay area. With a thorough understanding of the financial impact and necessary controls over transactions, this role will ensure timely processing and provide senior management with timely and accurate reporting to drive business decisions. This role will provide strong mentorship, leadership, and guidance to directly managed personnel.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Manage the Accounts Payable team to perform at the highest level with excellent team dynamic and engagement. Hire highly capable personnel, establishing effective training plans, improve engagement, collaboration and effective communication. Hold self and staff accountable to achieve high and challenging expectations.
2. Manage the activities in the Accounts Payable department including working with Procurement, Corporate and Plant employees, vendors, and bank personnel to facilitate accurate and timely processing of transactions.  Keep senior management informed of any potential issues.
3. Coordinate the release of payment runs and the corresponding interfaces with the bank to ensure funds are disbursed properly.  Perform reconciliations and variance analysis for Goods Received Not Invoiced to resolve issues timely and to support the month-end close and the monthly reporting package.
4. Manage the vendor setup process to confirm vendors are created with the proper terms and remittance information, the proper identification as 1099 reportable, and the correct designation for sales tax.  Ensure adjustments are made as necessary to adjust transactions for self-assessment if sales tax is not included.
5. Analyze transaction volume to identify opportunities to improve the process, the work allocation, and the business.  Prepare reports to track metrics for individual and department performance.
6. Lead implementations of any new business processes or software implementations.
7. Create and lead the development of policies, procedures and process flows to support the internal control environment for the corporation as well as the development of standardized departmental processes.
8. Support Internal and External audits by providing timely and sufficient workpapers and response to audit inquiries. Demonstrate ownership of the relevant audit samples and transaction walk-throughs.
9. Evaluate processes and develop plans to improve controls, efficiencies, and effectiveness.
10. Build strong teams by improving engagement, collaboration and effective communication.
11. Manage the overall performance and development of the team. Interview, hire and develop employees, and conduct performance evaluations.
12. Collaborate closely with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to drive departmental objectives.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:  Minimum bachelor’s degree – Emphasis in Accounting / Finance; MBA, CPA preferred

Related Experience:  10+ years of progressive business experience with a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience; preference with CPG or related industry with heavy marketing programs and commodity product base.

Equipment/Software Skills:  Microsoft suite of products; working knowledge of IBM / AS400; system integration and balancing experience

Competencies

• Leadership - provide leadership by demonstrating and driving a sense of ownership and accountability within the team and the department.
• Developing and Managing People – Drive engagement and build a strong working relationship with team by delegating effectively, providing timely and constructiv