Accounts Payable Manager

Founded in 1975, SCORE has been a grassroots partner with club sports, working at the national, state, and local levels to provide uniforms and equipment for youth sports. While we have historically focused on soccer, SCORE now provides uniforms and equipment across a range of sports, including flag football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and more. SCORE has manufacturing facilities in North America, enabling us to provide custom uniforms faster and with exceptional quality. Join the SCORE team and help us continue our mission to support the next generation of athletes! About the Position Score Sports is seeking an experienced and strategic Accounts Payable Manager to lead our AP function within the Finance team. This role is responsible for overseeing the full-cycle accounts payable process, managing and developing AP staff, driving process improvements, and ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial operations. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader who combines technical AP expertise with strong people management skills, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to partner cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced, Private Equity‑backed environment. NOTE: This is an on‑site position in Irvine, CA About You 5+ years of accounts payable experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role Proven track record of managing and developing AP teams in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment Deep understanding of full‑cycle AP processes, internal controls, and accounting best practices Hands‑on experience with ERP/accounting systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar); ability to leverage system capabilities to drive efficiency Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization Experience managing vendor relationships and resolving complex payment or billing disputes Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with the highest level of discretion and professionalism Experience in a Private Equity‑backed environment strongly preferred Familiarity with T&E platforms (RAMP, AMEX Concur, or similar) and expense policy enforcement Spanish language skills are highly desirable. Key Responsibilities Directly manage, mentor, and develop AP Specialists and support staff, fostering a high‑performance and collaborative team culture Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews, and identify development opportunities for team members Oversee workload distribution to ensure accurate and timely invoice processing across the team Serve as an escalation point for complex vendor disputes, payment issues, and internal stakeholder concerns Invoice & Payment Operations Oversee high‑volume invoice processing to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and proper general ledger coding Enforce invoice controls: duplicate prevention, approval workflow compliance, and charge validation Process payment requests through the system and bank, including international payments. Manage and review weekly check runs, ACH payments, and wire transfers; approve payment batches Maintain accountability for the three‑way match process (PO / receipt/invoice) and timely discrepancy resolution Govern vendor master data, including setup, maintenance, tax documentation (W‑9/1099), and banking details Oversee reconciliation of vendor statements and resolution of outstanding balances, credits, and billing disputes Cultivate and maintain strong vendor relationships; set standards for responsiveness and professionalism across the team Partner cross‑functionally with Procurement, Operations, Legal, and other departments to streamline P2P workflows and resolve issues Own month‑end close activities including AP subledger reconciliation, GR/IR clearing, accrual preparation, and aging review Monitor and manage the AP aging report to optimize cash flow, prevent late fees, and proactively address past‑due balances Review and approve employee expense reports submitted through RAMP or similar T&E platforms, ensuring policy compliance Lead AP readiness for annual audits and support financial reporting requirements; provide documentation, reconciliations, and analysis as requested Process Improvement & Compliance Champion a culture of continuous improvement; identify and implement automation, workflow enhancements, and system optimizations within the AP function Define, track, and report on AP KPIs (e.g., invoice cycle time, first‑pass match rate, on‑time payment rate) and drive performance improvements Enforce P2P compliance standards, including PO‑backed purchasing discipline and reduction of off‑PO spend Ensure adherence to company policies, internal controls, and accounting procedures; maintain organized AP documentation and audit trails Partner with IT, Finance, and Procurement to evaluate and implement ERP/technology improvements that enhance AP efficiency. Score Sports offers competitive pay and benefits. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401 (k). Base salary range is $75,000 - $85,000, depending on experience. Note We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or applications from third‑party recruiters or agencies at this time. #J-18808-Ljbffr