Director of Shared Services - Accounting

Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee's total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Shared Services-Accounting will focus on and oversee Accounts Payable, T&E, and Accounts Receivable and Deductions. This position will provide leadership, guidance, and expertise to these functions. This position is also responsible for identifying and executing accounting related projects that support company and department strategic initiatives and continuous process improvements. The ideal candidate will be open to taking on a variety of new tasks and projects. The candidate must be detail oriented, have excellent organizational skills, and be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. This role reports to the Controller and is based out of our Carneys Point location - our corporate office is moving to Cherry Hill. NJ this June 2023.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Oversee Accounts Payable, T&E, Accounts Receivable and Deductions
• Manage the professionals that lead each shared service function and provide guidance when needed
• Provide strategic partnership to align with company goals and mission
• Monitor compliance of internal controls within each function in accordance with respective key control tables
• Obtain, monitor, and review SOC 1 (System and Organization Controls) reports for HighRadius
• Manage and ensure compliance with several tax filing requirements such as bottle tax, state and local use tax, etc
• Maintain appropriate analysis codes used for tax filings
• Meet Finance and corporate objectives
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications
• Ad-hoc special projects as required
• May require working during some weekends and holidays as required by the closing schedule

Accounts Receivable:

• Lead the Accounts Receivable team to ensure all tasks are completed timely and accurately within established guidelines
• Ensure proper recording and application of cash
• Warrant invoicing operations for all customers and co-packer agreements daily
• Manage total Account Receivable Aging including thorough knowledge of outstanding invoices
• Support Management by providing timely and accurate payment measures including, but not limited to: Days Sales Outstanding, and Accounts Receivable Turnover
• Provides direction to resolve significant and complex deductions or short payment problems.
• Analyze deductions to identify trends and track customer's behaviors
• Collaborate with other department personnel to determine root cause of process errors and associated process improvement solutions to reduce Deduction Days Outstanding
• Support the accounting and reconciliation of various customer trade programs, including volume and growth rebates, co-op advertising, and other discounts and allowances
• Reconcile AR systems to global ERP systems (QAD)
• Monitor transaction flow between QAD and HighRadius (Accounts Receivable software) to ensure there is no data loss or issues
• Manage and maintain all technical issues related to the Accounts Receivable software
• Manage month-end close as it pertains to the Accounts Receivable cycle

Accounts Payable:

• Lead the Accounts Payable team to ensure all tasks are completed timely and accurately within established guidelines
• Review weekly payments to ensure discounts are taken, DPO is maintained at expected levels and determine appropriate vendor payments during working capital management at quarter ends
• Review and maintain current AP processes and provide suggestions of opportunity for improvement and automation
• Troubleshooting and research of accounts payable issues and problems, including systems issues
• Manage purchase order receipts accounts and investigate receipts not invoiced and provide resolution
• Manage month-end close as it pertains to the Accounts Payable cycle
• Support the accounting and reconciliation of all related Accounts Payable accounts
• Assist with implementation of Accounts Payable automation project
• Manage and maintain all technical issues related to the Accounts Payable software once implemented
• Assist with monthly T&E required journal entries and reconciliations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage 2-4 direct reports with total staff of approximately 7-12 employees
• Communicates job expectations; planning, monitoring, and assessing job results; coaching, and counseling employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Establishes strategic goals; identifying and evaluating trends; choosing a course of action; defining objectives; evaluating outcomes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA or MBA preferred
• 7+ years of experience in Accounts Receivable/Customer Focused responsibilities (Order processing, invoicing, cash application, deductions, and/or collections)
• 3+ years of experience in Accounts Payable function
• 5+ years of shared services experience a plus
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in consumer products manufacturing (food and beverage) preferred
• Ability to direct and supervise
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills
• Ability to think critically and independently
• Ability to manipulate large amounts of data
• Ability to collaborate successfully with others in the organization
• Ability to meet assigned deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with HighRadius strongly preferred
• Advanced computer skills on MS Office, accounting software and databases
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving and results

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with a "roll up the sleeves" to get the job done tactical work ethic
• Adaptable to a faster-than-average pace with the ability to learn quickly, thoroughly, and can recognize and adjust to change
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
• Ability to work cross-functionally and with a wide range of employees with different skill sets
• Ability to establish relationships across the organization and at various hierarchical levels
• Ability to listen and seek clarification; meet commitments; and maintain confidentiality
• Experience in the food/beverage industry
• Previous experience in Manufacturing or production environment
• Proven organizational skills
• Ability to direct, coach and train others
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20 - 35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein 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 to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.