Manager, Accounts Payable Vendor Relations

The Manager, Accounts Payable Vendor Relations is accountable for managing and leading the Vendor Relations Team. This team, co-located at the Store Support Center in the US and Business & Technology Store Support Center in Mexico, is responsible for the timely resolution of US and Mexico Merchandise vendor disputes related to receiving, returns, vendor allowances, fill rate fees and inquiries on over $8B in annual Merchandising spend. This position interacts with all levels of internal and external management and requires a strong analytical background as well as the ability to train, lead, motivate and develop a team.

• Manage Merchandising vendor relations and maintain a strong relationship with key vendors.
• Manage and lead research related to all types of vendor disputes including: unpaid invoices, cost discrepancies, quantity discrepancies, allowance variances, EDI invoice errors, compliance fee deductions and other items disputed by the Merchandising Vendor community.
• Partner with Information Technology, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and other areas of the Finance team to transform from the Mainframe to SAP.
• Partner with vendors on Vendor Portal training and accounting reports.
• Manage the Vendor Account Statement Review process and make recommendations to leadership on vendor settlements.
• Partner with the pricing and promotions team to manage the Vendor Cost Reconciliation process.
• Develop and analyze KPIs related to vendor community.
• Develop, prepare and analyze KPIs for the Vendor Dispute Team. These metrics will provide data for setting objectives for team members and providing management with information needed to make staffing decisions.
• Identify and act on opportunities to streamline/improve current processes that will increase the EDI Match Rate. These processes will include Distribution Center receiving, vendor shipping, vendor chargeback receiving, accuracy of cost changes, accuracy of allowances in system and EDI transmission issues.
• Drive improvements on existing processes and focus on the centralization of the Vendor Relations activities from other business units and locations supporting the vendor community.
• Provide accurate, trustworthy, timely research and advice to Category Managers when reviewing vendor’s issues and accounts.
• Participate in cross-functional project.
• Manage a team of ten Financial Analysts co-located at the Store Support Center in the US and Business & Technology Store Support Center in Mexico.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, MBA preferred
• 7+ years of related experience
• Minimum of 5 years of professional management experience
• Experience with Rocket Shuttle, Google Big Query (or SQL) and PeopleSoft
• Advanced Excel Skills
• Excellent communication and leadership skills