Sr. Accounts Payable Specialist

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water.

We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do:

For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.​

Watts Water Technologies is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join our growing finance organization. This role is responsible for overseeing complex, high-volume accounts payable operations across multiple legal entities and currencies while ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with company policies and internal controls.

The Senior Accounts Payable Specialist will act as a subject matter expert within the Accounts Payable (AP) function—analyzing financial data, resolving escalated vendor issues, supporting process improvements, and mentoring junior team members. This individual will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to maintain optimal cash flow performance, vendor satisfaction, and adherence to regulatory and audit standards.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end processing of vendor invoices across multiple business units and ERP systems, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with company policies.
• Monitor and manage AP workflows to ensure prompt approval and payment cycles; identify and resolve processing bottlenecks proactively.
• Analyze complex invoices and purchase order variances; independently determine and execute corrective actions.
• Manage multi-currency transactions, including validation of foreign exchange rates and compliance with international payment protocols.
• Review and reconcile vendor statements; research, document, and resolve aged items or discrepancies.
• Evaluate vendor accounts for debit balances and implement corrective measures to ensure proper account alignment.
• Serve as the escalation point for vendor and stakeholder disputes, providing resolution through analysis, communication, and cross-functional coordination.
• Oversee compliance with SOX and internal audit requirements, ensuring documentation integrity and control adherence.
• Evaluate invoices for accurate sales and use tax application; coordinate with tax teams as necessary.
• Review, audit, and analyze employee expense reports for accuracy, compliance, and policy adherence.
• Participate actively in the monthly and year-end closing processes, including accruals, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Support internal and external audit activities by preparing and providing requested documentation in a timely and professional manner.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, automation, and accuracy within the AP function.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentoring to Accounts Payable team members to foster skill development and performance excellence.
• Serve as a key participant in special projects, system upgrades, and process transformation initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Associate in Accounting, Finance, or Business, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Accounts Payable or related accounting roles, including experience in high-volume, multi-entity, and multi-currency environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial shared services or global manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and SOX compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, VLOOKUPs, data analysis).
• Experience using major ERP systems (e.g., Epicor, Glovia, SAP, or equivalent).
• Proven ability to analyze complex data, identify root causes, and implement effective process improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across functional teams and with vendors.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and professional judgment in decision-making.
• High degree of accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Customer-service orientation with a proactive and collaborati