ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER

Accounts Payable Manager Location: Agawam, MA, Dublin, OH or North Aurora, IL preferred Reporting To: Shared Services Manager About Catalyst Acoustics Group Catalyst Acoustics Group (CAG) is a leading designer and manufacturer of engineered acoustical solutions serving industrial, architectural, medical, commercial, and infrastructure end markets. CAG operates a portfolio of best-in-class brands supported by a shared-services model focused on operational excellence, scalability, and continuous improvement. Role Overview The Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end procure-to-pay function across a multi-entity, private equity-backed platform. This role ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of invoice processing, vendor management, payment execution, and AP reporting. This leader operates as a player/coach, balancing hands-on execution with team leadership while driving process consistency, strong internal controls, cash management, and scalability across the organization. The ideal candidate is a driver, highly organized, and brings a strong sense of urgency, ownership, and process discipline in a fast-paced, decentralized manufacturing environment. Key Responsibilities 1. Procure-to-Pay Operations Oversee and actively support end-to-end AP processes, including invoice receipt, coding, three-way match, approval routing, payment execution, and posting across multiple entities. Ensure timely, accurate, and complete processing of invoices in accordance with company policies and approval authority. Ensure accurate coding and classification of all AP vouchers to the appropriate general ledger accounts, cost centers, projects, and tax categories. Drive consistency in AP practices across business units and acquired entities. 2. AP Operations & Execution Lead day-to-day AP activities, including exception resolution, payment processing, vendor reconciliations, and issue resolution. Maintain vendor master integrity and enforce strong internal controls, segregation of duties, and fraud prevention practices. Review payment runs for accuracy and compliance before release. 3. Vendor & Cash Management Manage vendor relationships, resolve escalated issues, and support timely payments while optimizing payment terms and discounts. Partner with Treasury to provide cash disbursement forecasts and payment schedules. 4. Team Leadership (Player/Coach) Lead, develop, and coach AP team members across locations. Act as a hands-on leader, stepping in to support workload and resolve issues directly. Set clear expectations and reinforce accountability, accuracy, and responsiveness. Identify talent gaps and support hiring, training, and development. 5. Process Improvement & Standardization Identify and drive process improvements across AP workflows. Standardize processes across business units, systems, and acquired entities. Partner with Finance and IT to optimize ERP functionality, automation, and reporting tools. Reduce manual work and improve scalability and efficiency. 6. Month-End Close & Reporting Ensure timely completion of AP close activities, reconciliations, accrual support, and audit requests. Provide leadership with key metrics including payment timeliness, invoice cycle time, exception rates, and AP aging. 7. Cross-Functional Partnership Collaborate closely with Purchasing, Operations, Customer Service, Treasury, and Finance. Support integration of acquired businesses into standardized AP processes. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. 7+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience, including leadership. Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or multi-entity environments preferred. Strong understanding of procure-to-pay processes, three-way match, AP controls, vendor management, and month-end close. Experience with ERP systems and process standardization initiatives. Proven ability to operate in a high-growth, PE-backed, or decentralized environment.