Accounts Payable Supervisor (1733)

Department: Finance / Accounting
Reports To: Controller
Industry: Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing (Job Shop Environment)

Company Overview

Founded in 1990, Bright Lights USA, Inc. (dba BLUSA Defense Manufacturing) is a growing U.S.-based manufacturing company operating in a job shop environment producing mechanical and electromechanical parts, with a workforce of over 100 employees. We support customers in the defense and aerospace industries, including U.S. government agencies, prime manufacturers, and international clients. Known for precision, quality, and long-term customer relationships, the company continues to invest in people, systems, and processes to support sustainable growth.

Position Summary

The Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for managing and continuously improving the company’s accounts payable function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of vendor invoices and payments. This role supports a manufacturing job shop environment serving aerospace and defense customers and requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in manufacturing financial operations.

The position works closely with purchasing, receiving, and finance leadership to maintain effective procure-to-pay processes, internal controls, and compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Operations

• Manage the full accounts payable cycle including invoice receipt, coding, approval routing, and payment processing for primary operating company and two smaller affiliated entities.
• Oversee weekly payment runs (check, credit card).
• Monitor AP aging and resolve vendor discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Ensure accurate vendor statement reconciliations.
• Track/ manage and reconcile vendor pre-payments.

Manufacturing & ERP Coordination

• Work closely with Purchasing, Receiving and Quality Control to ensure accurate three-way matching of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices.
• Support job shop operations where purchases are tied to specific jobs, work orders, or projects.
• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment required; experience with GlobalShop Solutions ERP is a plus.

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Supervise and develop accounts payable staff.
• Establish and maintain efficient AP workflows and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls, and efficiency within the AP function.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with operations and finance teams.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Assist with month-end close activities, including AP accruals and reconciliations.
• Prepare reports related to vendor activity, aging, and cash requirements.
• Support cash flow planning and analysis as needed.
• Intercompany billing and reconciliation.

• Assist with internal and external audit requests.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounts payable experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing or job shop environment; experience with GlobalShop Solutions ERP is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to use spreadsheets for reconciliations, reporting, and data analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred but not required with relevant experience.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage priorities in a high-volume environment.

Work Environment

Office-based role within a manufacturing environment supporting operations, purchasing, and finance teams.