Circa Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Who we are:

Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative and architectural lighting, ceiling fans, system controls and automated shading solutions from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market-leading range of premium products across categories, styles and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, a world-class customer experience.

This role will serve as the process owner while overseeing multi-regional operations encompassing internal team members. The role is accountable for ensuring end-to-end process and operational excellence across Vendor Master Data, Purchase Requisition/Orders, Invoice Processing, Disbursements, Vendor Services, Corporate Card programs, Escheatment, and related taxes, including 1099 reporting. This position requires close collaboration with stakeholders across Supply Chain, IT, Accounting operations, and other functional operation teams to drive improvements in working capital, operational efficiency, and stakeholder experience.

Visual Comfort Offers:

• Work-Life Balance: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm with 10% travel
• Training & Development: A comprehensive and structured training program, complemented by ongoing education and opportunities for career advancement.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies.
• Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year, in addition to 2 floating holidays.
• Compensation: Competitive compensation plan

• Health Benefits: Visual Comfort covers the majority of employee medical premiums, and offers competitive vision and dental coverage available starting the first day of the month following your start date.

• Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following your hire date.

How success is defined:

• Manages and executes the Accounts Payable function including the activities of the AP processing staff engaged in payment processing (check, ACH and wires), transaction validation with authority levels and coding, commissions and royalties payment processing to designer and sales representatives, and vendor relationship management.
• Lead the PTP team in applying sound financial analysis and management, strong business acumen, and effective internal controls to ensure accurate, timely, and GAAP compliant transactional processing. Ensuring end-to-end efficiency, standardization, and alignment with business objectives across all regions. Continuously review and optimize PTP processes through automation, simplification, and adoption of best practices.  Drive performance improvement through benchmarking, data analysis, and the implementation of RPA and AI technologies to enhance AP operations.
• Timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices including functional expenses and merchandise/product, including the 3-way match discrepancy process in partnership with Purchasing and Warehouse/Distribution leadership. Monitor the invoice processing activities and proactively manage any issues impacting the accuracy or timeliness of vendor payments.
• Coordinates with accounting team members to provide required documentation and analysis for audits. Manages monthly closing of AP and posting of month-end information including capital expenditures and unrecorded invoice accruals.
• Lead initiatives related to process documentation, cross-training, benchmarking, and key metric reporting. Own and evolve global PTP policies and documentation, supporting ERP enhancements and changing business needs including advancement of potential business process centralization and/or optimization.
• Manage the expense reporting system (Concur) and corporate credit card program in collaboration with accounting operations.
• Act as the "face" of the Accounts Payable team and exhibit a high degree of customer service for internal customers/business partners across the organization. Resolve any performance issues / challenges that are escalated for resolution both within Visual Comfort and external suppliers. Develop and evaluate employee performance and workloads, determine priorities, and implement changes to improve productivity and increase efficiency. * Lead, coach, train and develop a high-performing geographically distributed AP team, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ad hoc requests and other projects from senior management (e.g. acquisition integrations, strategic initiatives, funding/capital matters, etc.).
• Works effectively with others in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals and to identify and resolve problems.
• Exhibits and adheres to the established Visual Comfort Company Values.
• Must demonstrate commitment, dependability, punctuality, and adherence to agreed-upon schedule while being present in the workplace to effectively collaborate and communicate amongst co-workers and teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field required.
• 7+ years of relevant experience having designed and operated Accounts Payable, Travel & Expense, (including related taxes) and Vendor Master data management within a medium to large corporate setting.
• 4+ years of management experience with direct team oversight, including coaching and mentoring staff.
• In-depth expertise in Procure-to-Pay best practices.
• Strong knowledge of ERP application (preferably JD Edwards and/or D365), Concur, and associated PTP automation tools.
• Experience in process improvement, automation (RPA, AI), and driving operational efficiencies.
• Direct experience in AP change (new systems and/or new processes) obtained either through merger integration or corporate restructuring is highly desirable.
• Diligence, strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure while managing competing priorities
• Works well in a team environment
• Advanced level Excel skills and familiarity with other Microsoft Office applications
• Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates, leading with respect, trust and influence
• Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; establishes expectations, provides performance feedback and fosters an engaging environment for the team
• Ability to effectively present information, written and verbal, to provide meaningful response from top management, peers, and partners
• Self-starter, proactive and motivated with demonstrated persistence in overcoming obstacles to achieve goals. Utilizes sound judgment and professionalism to meet evolving deadlines and deliverables
• Ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across functions to drive results through formal and informal channels
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with a strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and changing priorities
• Ability to achieve results both independently and through others by fostering a spirit of teamwork and cooperation
• Demonstrate exceptional communication across all contact channels, including email, chat and phone
• Available to work a flexible schedule including weekends, early mornings, late evenings
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for this role

Compensation Range: $140,000 - $150,000

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