The Manager, Accounts Payable will oversee all facets of the accounts payable ("AP") function and lead a team of AP clerks. This includes managing all processes and controls as well as vendor relations, invoice processing, remittance, reconciliation, settlement, and ensuring accurate accounting and accruals for accounts payable (AP). This role will also be responsible for modernizing current processes, including championing process improvements and acting as a lead on these transformation projects from initiation to implementation in order to achieve desired business results. Finance is embarking on a journey to transform, and this role will be a significant contributor to that transformation.

KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

• Timely reconciliation and payment of accounts
• Strong partnership with the procurement team to drive meaningful change and experiences with vendors
• Keep senior management informed of any high-risk areas, as identified
• Satisfaction of all business partners in team outputs (finance, procurement, receiving, etc.)
• Successful implementation of an automated invoice and workflow system
• Policy and practice adherence while ensuring IFRS
• Timely reconciliation and payment of accounts
• Achievement of all monthly deadlines within the department for F/S preparation
• Keep senior management informed of any high-risk areas, as identified
• Positive internal stakeholder feedback

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Functional

• Manage all functional areas of accounts payable
• Ensure thorough understanding of all AP processes, including those outside of direct purview
• In collaboration with the Director, Finance & Accounting and Sr. Manager, Finance & Accounting, identify, champion, and act as the lead in the implementation of continuous improvement projects to better position the AP department for the strategic growth of the business
• Lead the implementation of an automated invoice and workflow system
• Act as the main finance contact for process improvement and project implementations
• Review all vendor reconciliations and set up accruals for year-end provisions
• Maintain a strong control environment and work with internal auditors to ensure AP processes are aligned with expectation
• Maintain strong business relationships with vendors
• Act as liaison with vendors to ensure that accounts are managed and maintained effectively
• Initiate an action plan to resolve problematic vendor reconciliations and negotiate vendor settlements, when required
• Manage escalated external vendor's critical issues
• Act as an advocate for the customer by placing them at the forefront of all design and decision-making processes
• Proactively identify and anticipate customer expectations and needs
• Embrace and seek out technology that creates high-tech and high-touch solutions for Indigo's customers
• Challenge the status quo and consistently identify areas for improvement, diagnose issues and work to resolve them
• Ad-hoc requests and projects as assigned

People

• Build strong teams by emphasizing the development of AP clerks
• Bring out the best in others, empower, and constructively stretch talent
• Give authentic feedback on performance and potential
• Ensure all team members understand where they stand and have clear performance objectives aligned with Indigo and team goals
• Collaborate with others to drive flexible and iterative solutions, quickly and easily
• Share technical knowledge with others and actively seek to learn from those more knowledgeable than yourself
• Help others see the impacts of their efforts and proactively engage other functions to get input
• Encourage others to freely share their point of view and be open to feedback
• Accountable for the overall engagement, productivity, turnover and bench strength of the team

Cultural

• Model Indigo's beliefs and convey a positive image in everything you do
• Celebrate the diversity of thought and have an open mindset
• Take an active role in fostering a culture of continual learning, taking risks without the fear of making mistakes
• Embrace, champion, and influence change through your team and/or the organization

SCOPE

Reports to: VP, Finance & Accounting

Manager once Removed (MOR): Chief Operating Officer

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• Finance & Accounting
• Supply Chain
• General Merchandise
• Print
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Marketing & Online
• Legal & Real Estate
• Creative

External:

• Vendors
• Government agencies

Work Experience / Education / Certifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in accounting or a related field
• At least 5 years' experience in a similar role with increasing responsibility
• Experience leading a team
• Experience leading projects

Competencies / Skills / Attributes

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to provide timely and meaningful feedback
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to navigate through competing priorities, maintaining ability to deliver results within expected timelines
• Strong analytical skills
• Effective communication skills, including excellent written, verbal and presentation

At Indigo, we are committed to our communities, our customers, and each other; together we can make a positive impact. We know that fostering diversity and inclusion brings out your full potential and creates a joyful and welcoming environment for everyone. We are driven to be an equitable employer, which highly values your diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that you, in all your uniqueness, belong at Indigo. We welcome all applicants and encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, LGBTQ2+ and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request to individuals who self-identify as having a disability or special need. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] if you require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.

WELCOME HOME

Dedicated to telling stories and creating experiences, Indigo is always looking for bright, energetic and customer-focused people who can help bring our exciting mission to life in one of our more than 170 Indigo, Indigospirit, Chapters and Coles stores across Canada. We offer a variety of exciting opportunities at our retail stores, distribution centres, and home office for people who share our passions and want to be part of a dynamic and enriching culture.

WHO WE ARE

• We love books and all things beautiful
• We are Canada's Cultural Department Store
• Books are our heart and our soul and Great Books are JUST the Beginning…

We play by the following rules:

• We exist to add joy to our customers' lives each and every time they interact with us and our products
• Our job is to create joyful moments for our customers
• We treat each other the way we'd treat a valued friend
• We inspire each other to do our best work
• We seek to ignite creativity and innovation every day
• We give back to the communities in which we operate