AP Manager

DescriptionPosition at Ruppert Landscape - CorporateJob Title: Accounts Payable ManagerLocation: This position will be based out of Ruppert’s headquarters in Laytonsville, MD.Ruppert Landscape Overview:Headquartered in Laytonsville, MD, Ruppert Landscape is a leading provider of commercial landscaping services that has grown to become a top 10 industry player through its dedication to exceptional professionalism and best-in-class operations. The company prides itself on its strong culture, commitment to its employees, unmatched attention to its customers and giving back to the community.Clients include the nation’s leading corporate office parks, mixed-use developments, retail properties, hospitality, cultural and sporting venues. Ruppert currently serves over 5,000 customers and employs 3,000+ team members at 52 branches primarily throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern U.S. The company’s segments include Landscape Management (Maintenance) and Landscape Construction (Installation).The Company’s mission is to provide opportunity for its people, take excellent care of its customers and be a good steward of the environment and community.Ruppert partnered with Knox Lane and became a portfolio company in December 2022.Reporting Relationship: Financial ControllerPosition Description:As the leader of the Accounts Payable (A/P) function, the Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for overseeing the entire A/P process including ensuring timeliness and accuracy of all A/P transactions, team leadership, monthly reporting, and system support. The Accounts Payable Manager will drive end-to-end A/P process improvement/optimization, lead system implementations, develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensure exceptional customer service within Ruppert’s internal branch structure and to external vendors.Key Responsibilities:· Team Leadershipo Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team of 4 to 5 A/P Specialists, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvemento Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and promote a culture of accuracy and accountability· Customer Serviceo Serve as the primary customer service liaison for all A/P inquiries for Ruppert’s branches, corporate staff, and Leadership teamo Deliver concise, complete, and timely responses to internal and external stakeholders, fostering and maintaining strong business relationshipso Manage crisis and issue resolution by quickly identifying root causes, coordinating corrective actions, and communicating with stakeholders to minimize financial and operational impacto Ensure all reported issues are tracked, monitored, and resolved within company SLAs· Accounts Payable Operationso Manage the day-to-day operations of A/P processes, ensuring the timely and accurate processing and payment of 6,500+ invoices per montho Implement and maintain internal control procedures, including vendor statement reconciliations and A/P Aging reviewo Maintain vendor master data in JD Edwards including approval of new vendor set-upo Implement monitoring controls through all stages of the A/P workflow, and report on KPIs to the Financial Controller to drive performance improvements and ensure high quality outputo Proactively detect discrepancies, payment errors, or vendor disputes; conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions within agreed SLAso Maintain and manage list of vendor holds· Accounting and Reportingo Ensure timely and accurate month-end close procedures for Accounts Payableo Responsible for the accuracy of the A/P subledger, including reconciliation to the General Ledger, and accounting for all Maintenance, Installation and Corporate invoices· Continuous Improvemento Identify inefficiencies in invoice processing, payment cycles, and vendor management; design and implement streamlined workflows to reduce errors and cycle times.o Lead and support the implementation of new A/P automation tools for the company’s Procure-to-Pay process, as part of the company’s initiative to modernize key business processes and systems· Team Collaborationo Work collaboratively with members of the Accounts Receivable and Financial Accounting teams, ensuring timely response to inquiries and issue resolutiono Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies, mitigating risks and safeguarding the company’s financial integrityRequired Skills and Competencies:· Demonstrate strong commitment to developing a customer-first culture within the A/P team· Proven ability to manage and motivate a team – excellent people management and coaching skillsHigh attention to detail with ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure accuracy in Accounts Payable operationsSelf-starter - takes initiative to solve problems and communicate issues in a timely mannerStrong analytical and investigative skills with a history of resolving A/P processing issuesProcess-oriented – experience in assessing and streamlining A/P processes and managing the implementation of new software; track record of leading transformationProblem solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfullyQuality management - looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughnessExhibits sound and accurate judgment and willingness to collaborate in making timely decisionsExcellent verbal and written communication skills - able to articulate complex issues and manage postmortem discussions with stakeholdersProven track record of fostering accountability and helping team members manage workloads effectivelyStrong enthusiasm for identifying inefficiencies within existing accounts payable processes and systems in an environment with evolving software and proceduresSkilled in navigating high-pressure situations with critical visibility, offering sound judgment and quick, effective decision-makingAbility to work both independently and collaborativelyAbility to meet deadlines and work well under pressureEducation and Experience Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration6+ years of experience as an Accounts Payable ManagerProven track record of managing and optimizing Accounts Payable operations5-10 years of experience working in large-scale organizations (public or private equity backed organizations preferred)Familiarity with GAAP and strong working knowledge of internal controlsAdvanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros)Experienced in JD Edwards, Spreadsheet Server, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ticketing or project manager tools (e.g. Jira, Zendesk) is preferred