Manager, Accounts Payable

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world famous brand with offices across the globe. Within Fender Musical Instruments Corporation’s ("FMIC") Accounts Payable we proudly process a high volume of complex invoices from domestic and international vendors. The Accounts Payable team operates in a heavily automated environment using the latest AP processing technologies. This allows the team to focus on interesting, value-added work.

An American icon, Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence extending beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument, it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for an Accounts Payable Manager based out of Scottsdale, AZ that is a demonstrated people leader, passionate about process improvement, and excited to learn the details of our systems. You will be responsible for leading and developing a team of AP Specialists, maintaining oversight of team performance, identifying and implementing opportunities for strategic process improvements, solving complex problems and participating in financial reporting related to accounts payable.

This is a hybrid role based out of Scottsdale, AZ.

Essential Functions:

• Team Leadership: Manage and develop a team of Accounts Payable Specialists, providing detailed training, guidance, coaching, and performance feedback. Key parts of team leadership will include assigning tasks, scheduling employees, communicating job expectations, and confirming team adherence to policies and procedures.
• Talent Management: Participate in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding AP team members.
• Process Oversight: Oversee the day-to-day accounts payable operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing of high volume, complex customer invoices.
• Automation and Technology: Leverage existing AP automation software to optimize processes and identify opportunities for further automation using AI and other advanced technologies.
• Process Improvement: Identify strategic initiatives to enhance AP efficiency, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.
• Professional Skills Development: A successful candidate will be a self-starting professional who identifies opportunities for technical development. They will be interested in staying up to date on emerging technologies, AP industry trends, and participating in educational opportunities including reading professional publications and maintaining professional networks.
• Problem Solving: Analyze and resolve complex AP issues, including vendor disputes, payment discrepancies, and system errors. Coach team in developing similar acumen.
• Financial Analysis: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess department performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, such as procurement and finance, to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
• Accounting and Financial Reporting: Support accurate and timely accounting and financial reporting related to accounts payable. Demonstrate extensive knowledge in accruals, fixed assets, balance sheet account reconciliations, expense coding, and asset coding. Maintain financial security by adhering to internal accounting controls.
• Audit Support: Assist in the month-end and year-end audits, providing support, answering questions, and updating process narratives.
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounts payable, purchasing, accounting or finance with at least 3 years in a supervisory role
• Proven ability to lead and develop a high-performing team
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills including excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
• Personally exhibits a strong commitment to dependability and reliability. High degree of integrity including the ability to successfully deal with sensitive or confidential information. Well-developed analytic and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver assignments on time.
• Hands on, self starting, disciplined, and detail oriented individual with ability to work independently in a high volume environment that requires a work product that is highly accurate and timely. Ability to exhibit poise, composure and confidence when confronting stressful or high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Excel, MS Word). Extensive knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred)
• Preferred experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in an