Lead- Accounts Payable- Accounting - Shift 1
7 days ago
Bakersfield
Job Description THE ROLE: • This position will report to the: AP/AR Manager, • Travel requirements: N/A, • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, • Shift: 1st, • Employment Category: Full-Time Temporary, • Pay Range: $24.00 - $29.00 STRONG HISTORY. EXCITING FUTURE Bolthouse Fresh Foods is a leader in carrot production, serving as a grower, packer, processor, and shipper. Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, we are a proud employer to 1,600 dedicated individuals. Since 1915, we have been committed to growing and producing high-quality carrots, and today, we are one of North America’s largest growers and distributors of fresh carrots for cooking and snacking. Additionally, we supply premium natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. With over a century of excellence, Bolthouse Fresh™ products are available at major retailers across North America. Bolthouse Fresh Foods has approximately 1,600 employees. WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THIS ROLE JOB DESCRIPTION: The Lead Accounts Payable oversees the daily AP workflow and ensures timely and accurate processing of invoices, payments, and account reconciliations in a fast‑paced farming and manufacturing environment. This role supports inventory‑related purchasing, grower payments, freight and logistics invoicing, 3‑way match processes, and compliance with company policies and internal controls. The Lead Accounts Payable acts as a point of contact for internal departments and external vendors, providing guidance, training, and support to AP Specialists while driving process improvements and month‑end close accuracy. JOB DUTIES: Daily Operations & Oversight: • Manage weekly Check Run Reports and coordinate with Treasury and internal departments to ensure payment accuracy and efficiency., • Lead day‑to‑day AP activities, ensuring timely and accurate processing of high-volume invoices related to farming operations, raw materials, packaging, ingredients, utilities, services, and freight., • Serve as the first escalation point for internal inquiries from Purchasing, Receiving, Operations, and Accounting., • Review, approve, and troubleshoot 3‑way match exceptions (PO, receipt, invoice)., • Perform check run reconciliations to validate payments and resolve discrepancies., • Prepare weekly and monthly AP KPI reporting., • Collaborate with Operations and Procurement teams to resolve any vendor discrepancies., • Review and manage AP Discrepancy Tracker., • Prepare and review weekly vendor reconciliations., • Assist with clearing and processing manual checks., • Provide guidance and support to AP staff, including training, mentoring, and assist with general inquiries when necessary., • Perform monthly account reconciliations, research and resolve any variances., • Reviewing and posting of AP vouchers., • Verification of cleared payments as needed., • Train, support, and mentor AP Specialists; review workload distribution and provide guidance on complex issues., • Assist the AP Supervisor/Manager in establishing team goals and performance expectations., • Prepare AP accruals for goods/services received but not yet invoiced, including farm inputs, and manufacturing supplies., • Support audits (internal, external) with documentation and process explanations., • Ensure compliance with company policies, GAAP, and internal control requirements., • Identify gaps, inefficiencies, or recurring problems in AP workflows, especially related to procurement and manufacturing PO processes., • Recommend and assist in implementing system enhancements, automation tools, and improved procedures. Required Skills and Abilities: • Strong understanding of AP processes, general accounting principles, and 3‑way match controls., • High attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage competing priorities., • Excellent communication skills; able to interact effectively with vendors, supervisors, and cross‑functional teams., • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, especially in resolving invoice variances and receiving issues., • Proficient in Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, basic analytics)., • High School Diploma or equivalent; or five-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience, • 3-5 years of experience in a full cycle Accounts Payable or a related financial role., • Strong planning and problem-solving skills, • Experience working cross-functionally with departments such as Procurement, Operations, Treasury, and Accounting., • Familiarity with AP audit processes and internal controls., • Understanding of vendor credit management and variance analysis., • Experience with year-end 1099 processing., • Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interruptions., • Ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, climb, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist., • Lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight up to 30 lbs., • Operate office equipment requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard., • Ability to stand for long periods of time in an upright position walking on both even and uneven surfaces, • Ability to stoop, crouch, and kneel on a regular basis HOURS & WORKDAYS: • 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, weekends, overtime, and holidays may be mandatory based on business needs. WHAT WE OFFER Our rich benefits packages are designed to support the health and well-being of both our eligible co-workers and their families. • Medical, • Dental, • Vision, • Group Life and AD&D, • Voluntary Life and AD&D, • Group Short-Term Disability, • Group Long-Term Disability, • Flexible Spending Accounts, • Employee Assistance Program, • 401k, • Paid Time Off EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Bolthouse Fresh Foods is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you are interested in applying for employment with Bolthouse Fresh Foods and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, or if you believe you do not meet any of the required qualifications of a posted position due to a protected disability and would like to explore the possibility of accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at for additional support or guidance. RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Bolthouse Fresh Foods does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Bolthouse Fresh Foods is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. 1st shift- 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, weekends, overtime, and holidays may be mandatory based on business needs.