Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Kinder's•Walnut Creek, CA

2h•$115,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Accounts Payable Specialist oversees day-to-day accounts payable functions and serves as the AP Team’s primary operational lead. The role provides guidance, training, workload management, and oversight of compliance with company policies. It serves as the primary liaison between AP staff and the AP Manager, escalating significant issues and reporting on team performance, aging, and operational metrics. Reporting to the Accounts Payable Manager, the position supports the Accounting team through AP activities, vendor account management, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate is analytical and precise, while able to adapt and operate in an ambiguous, fast-paced, evolving environment. The role is based at Kinder’s Walnut Creek, California office and follows a hybrid structure: four days in the office each week, with Fridays flexible for working in the office or from home. The expected starting salary is $115,000–$125,000 per year. Total rewards may include paid time off, a 401(k), bonus or incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and family-friendly benefits including parental leave; benefits vary by eligibility.

Requirements

5–7 years of accounts payable experience, including at least 3 years of experience as a lead.
Strong understanding of AP processes, three-way matching, and internal controls, including high-volume and multi-entity processing.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and basic analysis.
Exposure to month-end close and audit support.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and organize effectively.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of company and client information.
Proficiency with accounting software such as SAP.
Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Familiarity with standard accounts payable procedures and workflows.
High attention to detail for accurate data entry and invoice matching.
Strong time-management skills to meet payment deadlines.
Knowledge of purchasing, invoicing, and vendor payment terms.
Competence with spreadsheet tools for tracking and reconciling transactions.
Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar.
Advanced Excel and data-analysis capabilities.
Experience working with large datasets and multiple data sources.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in CPG, food and beverage, or manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
CPA preferred.
Exposure to SOX controls and financial systems design is a plus.

Responsibilities

Conduct daily AP team huddles and maintain an assigned invoice-processing workload.
Process invoices from receipt through coding, approval routing, publication, and synchronization.
Monitor AP activity, including inbox volume, draft bills, approval queues, due dates, exceptions, duplicate-invoice risk, and follow-up items.
Oversee high-volume invoice processing, vendor setup and changes, statement reconciliations, credit memos, refunds, and vendor inquiries.
Prepare and complete weekly check and payment runs, including reviewing approved invoices and due dates, selecting payment methods, confirming cash requirements, printing checks, preparing positive pay files when applicable, and ensuring payments are recorded and released.
Review and approve new vendor accounts and present payment packages for approval.
Monitor AP inboxes and ensure timely responses; serve as the first escalation point for AP team members, vendor inquiries, and issue resolution.
Support timely and accurate month-end close, including AP cutoff, identification of uninvoiced liabilities, accrual support, AP aging review, and reconciliation of relevant accounts and reports.
Escalate critical suppliers as appropriate.
Maintain internal controls and compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
Support audits by preparing documentation and responding to requests.
Identify opportunities to improve AP processes, efficiency, automation, and controls.
Provide training, guidance, and support to AP team members; review work for accuracy and completeness and address recurring errors or bottlenecks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve discrepancies and improve workflows.
Assist with vendor reporting, 1099 readiness, AP-related financial reporting, and reconciliations.