Finance Supervisor, Accounts Payable

The Accounts Payable (AP) Supervisor within Sherwin Business Services (SBS) oversees daily AP operations across multiple business units, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing of invoices, payments, and vendor records. This role drives process excellence, maintains strong vendor relationships, and partners cross-functionally with Procurement, Treasury, Operations, and General Accounting to support a scalable, well-controlled AP function. The supervisor leads a team of AP professionals, manages workload allocation, resolves exceptions, and champions continuous improvement initiatives aligned to service-level commitments and control requirements.

This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Hinckley Parkway location at 4780 Hinckley Industrial Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44109.

Because this role involves access to confidential financial information, the Company has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and to provide similar protections for its clients and potential investments.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Operational Leadership

• Oversee end-to-end AP processing: invoice intake, 2/3-way match, approvals, payment runs (ACH, wire, check), and month-end accruals.

• Manage daily queues and work allocation to meet SLAs for invoice cycle time, payment timeliness, and inquiry response.

• Ensure adherence to company policies, SOX/internal controls, and audit readiness (documentation, approvals, segregation of duties).

• Monitor and helps drive resolution exceptions with the respected team (price/quantity variances, missing POs, duplicate invoices, blocked payments).

• Own weekly payment proposals, cash requirements coordination with Treasury, and payment timing optimization.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as escalation point for vendor inquiries and complex disputes; maintain positive supplier relationships.

• Coordinate with Operations and Receiving to resolve match exceptions and GRNI discrepancies.

• Collaborate with Controllership on accruals, reclasses, and period-close activities.

Process, Systems & Controls

• Work with the Center of Excellence (COE) on ERP/AP automation tools to drive efficiency and accuracy.

• Maintain standardized work instructions, desk procedures, and control narratives; lead training and cross-training.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

• Account reconciliation and analysis of agings

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing AP team; set goals, conduct performance reviews, and support career growth.

• Monitor productivity and quality metrics; provide feedback and remove barriers to delivery.

• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, and problem-solving.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with tax reporting (1099/1042), unclaimed property/escheatment, and regulatory requirements.

• Support internal/external audits; manage evidence requests and remediate findings.

• Enforce payment controls (positive pay, dual approvals) to prevent fraud.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

FORMAL EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• 3+ years of progressive financial and/or accounting experience.

• Strong experience with Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel.

• Strong customer service orientation.

• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced work environment

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred:

• Strong understanding of GAAP principles related to AP.
• Vendor relationship management and issue resolution.
• Process improvement experience (Lean/Kaizen preferred).
• Effective communication and stakeholder collaboration.

• Knowledge of team dynamics, motivation techniques, and conflict resolution.

• Basics of performance management/coaching.

• Understanding of company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.

• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices.

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and perform consistently, multi-tasking as necessary, and demonstrating good communication and organizational skills.
• Must have an aptitude for understanding technical advancements and implementing new systems and enhancements.
• Ability to interact with all levels of management using strong written and verbal communications. Must demonstrate an aptitude for grasping new concepts and adapting them to S-W business rules applicable to various operating divisions.
• Must be able to make logical conclusions based on financial data.

Preferred:

• Excellent Excel spreadsheet and report writing skills

Travel: 10%