Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Position Summary

HOYA Vision Care, North America, is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to support and evolve our accounts payable operations. This role goes beyond transactional processing and plays a critical part in driving process improvements, supporting system implementations, and ensuring operational excellence across the AP function.

The Senior AP Specialist will serve as a subject matter expert for invoice processing, vendor management, and compliance while also playing a key role in the rollout of the new AppZen solution, including process design, testing, validation, and implementation support. This position requires strong technical aptitude, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally while handling high-volume, detail-intensive work with accuracy and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Operations

• Manage end-to-end processing of vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy, proper approvals, and compliance with company policies.
• Review, verify, and reconcile invoices against purchase orders, contracts, and receiving documentation.
• Resolve complex invoice discrepancies independently by partnering with Procurement, Receiving, and internal business stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and accurate payment of vendors while maintaining strong vendor relationships and service levels.
• Perform monthly vendor statement reconciliations and proactively research outstanding or disputed items.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, reporting, and audit support.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical documentation to support internal controls and audit requirements.

AppZen Rollout & Systems Implementation

• Serve as a key contributor to the AppZen implementation team, representing Accounts Payable in system design and process discussions.
• Participate in the testing, validation, and user acceptance testing (UAT) of AppZen and related AP system enhancements.
• Assist with documentation of new processes, workflows, and controls resulting from the AppZen rollout.
• Support change management by helping train AP staff and business partners on updated invoice processing procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, efficiency, and controls within the AP function using AppZen insights and analytics.

Process Improvement & Leadership

• Act as a senior resource within the AP team, providing guidance, knowledge sharing, and informal mentoring to junior staff.
• Recommend and help implement process improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, SOX requirements, and accounting best practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, IT, Procurement, and external vendors to resolve issues and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualification

Education

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 4-6 years of progressive accounts payable experience, preferably in a high-volume or multi-entity environment.
• Prior experience participating in system implementations, process transformations, or automation initiatives strongly preferred.
• Exposure to audit support and internal controls environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of accounts payable processes and invoice lifecycle management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex discrepancies.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and ownership of work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience working with ERP systems and invoice automation tools (AppZen experience a plus).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

• This role operates in a hybrid AP environment transitioning from paper-based to automated invoice processing.
• Regular interaction with vendors, auditors, and internal stakeholders across departments.
• Occasional overtime may be required during month-end close, audits, or implementation milestones.