Manager, Vendor Inquires Lead

Lockheed Martin•Fort Worth, CO

11d•Remote

About The Position

The Vendor Inquiries Manager provides enterprise oversight of supplier-facing support activities within the Procure to Pay (PTP) function, with end-to-end accountability for inquiry resolution, dispute management, service performance, and operational risk mitigation across Accounts Payable (AP). The role defines and executes the Vendor Inquiries strategy, ensuring timely, accurate, and policy compliant resolution of payment status inquiries, invoice receipt questions, account discrepancies, holds, short pays, duplicate charges, and related exceptions raised by suppliers and Business Areas (BA), while safeguarding vendor master data integrity in coordination with Invoice Processing and Payments leadership. The Manager oversees inquiry intake, routing, categorization, tracking, and resolution across channels and SAP S/4 workflows, driving disciplined case management, structured escalation protocols, and root cause remediation to reduce recurring disputes, prevent payment delays, and protect working capital performance and supplier continuity. Leveraging data, analytics, and defined PTP service metrics, the role monitors volumes, backlog, aging, resolution cycle times, and policy adherence, translating trend and benchmarking insights into capacity planning, service model optimization, and targeted continuous improvement initiatives, while escalating systemic control gaps and emerging risks to senior leadership. A core accountability is enforcement of governance standards that ensure alignment with enterprise AP policies, documentation requirements, internal controls, and audit readiness, supporting internal and external audit reviews and strengthening financial control integrity and consistent supplier communications. The Manager partners closely with Invoice Processing, Payments, Banking & Supplier Maintenance, Supply Chain, IT, and BA stakeholders to align vendor inquiries strategy with broader GFS objectives and PTP transformation priorities, enable technology enhancements, and improve upstream and downstream process integration. In addition, the role leads and develops Associate Managers, Supervisors, and staff, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering accountability, operational excellence, and resilience, while advancing automation, standardization, and process optimization initiatives that enhance productivity, service quality, compliance, and enterprise financial control outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s (or higher) in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Strong analytical, problem solving, accounting (US GAAP), and financial analysis skills
Proven leadership experience (including demonstrated Full Spectrum Leadership behaviors); ability to motivate, energize, and build high performing teams in fast paced, high pressure environments
Excellent verbal and written communication; adept at delivering executive level presentations and status updates to senior leadership across the organization.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet business objectives, and navigate dependencies on external resources.
Track record of rapidly identifying, designing, and implementing new strategies, tools, and improvement initiatives and openness to embracing change.
Direct involvement in large scale financial system migrations
Advanced skills in Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint; capable of building sophisticated financial models and executive presentations.
Skilled at working across organizational and functional boundaries to achieve results.
Success in dynamic, fast paced team environments; skilled at coordinating team efforts and handling multiple priorities.
US Citizen

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with SAP (including SAP), Audit Board, and other enterprise systems.
Strong understanding DCAA, DCMA, SOX, of IRS regulations, and Government contract types.
Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense FAR (DFARS).
Proven self starter and quick learner with ability to master new systems and processes.
Strong interpersonal and team building abilities; capable of motivating and energizing team members to deliver quality results.

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise oversight of supplier-facing support activities within the Procure to Pay (PTP) function.
Define and execute the Vendor Inquiries strategy.
Oversee inquiry intake, routing, categorization, tracking, and resolution across channels and SAP S/4 workflows.
Enforce governance standards that ensure alignment with enterprise AP policies, documentation requirements, internal controls, and audit readiness.
Partner closely with Invoice Processing, Payments, Banking & Supplier Maintenance, Supply Chain, IT, and BA stakeholders.
Lead and develop Associate Managers, Supervisors, and staff.