At Upper Lakes Foods, every invoice processed and every payment made on time helps keep our customers supplied and our business running smoothly. As an Accounts Payable Specialist, you will play an important role behind the scenes by ensuring vendors are paid accurately, records are maintained, and financial processes are completed with precision. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys organization, problem-solving, and working with both numbers and people.
Your day will begin by reviewing invoices and matching them with purchase orders and items received to ensure every charge is accurate. When discrepancies arise, you'll work with vendors, brokers, and internal departments to quickly resolve issues and keep payments on schedule.
You'll enter invoices into the accounting system with accuracy, process payments within discount terms whenever possible, prepare accounts payable checks, and maintain electronic records by scanning and filing invoices. Along the way, you'll answer vendor questions, bill vendors for samples, prepare reports and account analyses, and assist the accounting team during monthly closing activities.
Success in this role comes from paying close attention to detail, staying organized, and maintaining positive relationships with vendors and coworkers. You'll also complete additional projects and assignments as needed to support the department and the company.
You have a high school diploma or equivalent and some related experience or training in an office or accounting environment. More importantly, you enjoy working with numbers, have strong organizational skills, and understand the importance of accuracy.
You communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing, and are comfortable speaking with vendors and internal team members. You possess solid mathematical skills, including working with decimals, percentages, discounts, and basic calculations. You're also proficient with Microsoft Office and can confidently use computer systems to enter and manage financial information.
The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to meeting deadlines. You take pride in producing accurate work, maintaining organized records, and providing excellent customer service to both internal and external partners. You build positive working relationships and continually strive to improve your knowledge and skills while contributing to the success of the accounting team.
This position is based in a professional office environment equipped with computers, filing systems, and standard office equipment. Most of the work is performed while sitting and using a computer, with occasional standing, bending, stooping, filing, and lifting materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Upper Lakes Foods is the largest independent wholesale food distributor in Minnesota, serving customers throughout the Upper Midwest from facilities in Cloquet, Minnesota; Northfield, Minnesota; and Janesville, Wisconsin.
For generations, we have partnered with independent restaurants, schools, assisted living communities, and national and regional foodservice chains by delivering quality products with exceptional customer service. Our mission is simple: to create value for every customer, employee, supplier, and community we serve by bringing the best products, the best people, and the best ideas.
If you're looking for an opportunity where accuracy, teamwork, and customer service make a real impact, we'd love to have you join our team.
CORE VALUES
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Strong Work Ethic – We believe in the value of hard work, perseverance and consistency of character.
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Positive Attitude – We believe in encouraging a flexible, agreeable and well-adjusted work existence that promotes successful outcomes.
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Integrity – We believe in honesty, truthfulness and consistency of our actions.
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Team Work – We believe that work done by several individuals combined insures excellence of quality, safety and service.
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Professional Appearance – We believe in maintaining an appearance that promotes good hygiene, neatness and appropriate business dress.
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Respectful Interaction – We believe in creating a workplace where employees are treated fairly in a safe and positive environment.
"We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin."
Please see full job description at the Upper Lakes Foods company's career page.
