Sr. Manager, Accounting Operations

SUMMARY: The Sr. Manager, Accounting Operations is responsible for leading the accounts payable ("AP") and associated procurement functions, while ensuring compliance with internal controls, policies, procedures, and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The role will also support accounting and financial reporting, including overseeing certain aspects of month-end, as well as system and process improvements.

This role drives operational excellence, cost optimization, and process improvements while managing teams and partnering cross-functionally with Finance, Departmental teams, Legal, and leadership.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

• Oversight of all AP operations, including managing staff, invoice processing, ensuring timely and accurate vendor payments, maintaining strong vendor relationships, and month-end closing for AP and accrued liabilities.
• Identify process improvements in the AP process including modifications to systems and roles/responsibilities.
• Oversee the creation of purchase orders, including partnering with stakeholders to understand purchasing needs and ensure alignment with budget and business goals.
• Develop and enforce procurement policies, approval workflows, and purchasing controls.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, process efficiency, and supplier consolidation.
• Partner with the USWM Accounting Manager in supporting and administering the Concur T&E System and Aggregate Spend Systems and associated required reporting to CMS and states.
• Assist in Budgeting and Forecasting process on an ad-hoc basis.
• Finance team liaison with the R&D team for financial close, budgeting, and vendor management.
• Timely review of assigned account reconciliations as needed.
• Coordinate compliance with internal documentation and evaluation of internal controls, ongoing monitoring, and testing.
• Prepare or review year-end audit schedules and provide other audit assistance as required.
• Partner with Finance leadership and IT on system implementations, modifications, and other changes.
• Establish performance metrics, SLAs, and KPIs for operational effectiveness.
• Provide reporting and insights to leadership on spending, vendor trends, and operational performance.
• Ensure validity and integrity of financial transactions.
• Protect the organization's value by keeping information confidential.

• Partner with other members within the accounting department to ensure all financial reporting deadlines are met.

• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and staff members, at all levels of the company.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS / BA in accounting, finance, or related business degrees.
• 7+ years of experience in AP, procurement, or finance operations.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• Prior pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences experience is preferred.
• Must be PC proficient and experienced with Microsoft Dynamics GP or other automated accounting/ERP system. Must also have strong experience with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs), Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Prior experience as an Administrator on Concur or a similar Travel & Expense reporting system.

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Computer Skills - Skilled with computers; Takes advantage of new technology; Learns new tools quickly; Uses technology to enhance job performance.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds)
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust or focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.