Senior Merchandise Payables Analyst

Analyst Merch Payable About us: Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers. Right on pace with Target’s distinctive retail brand, Target Finance and Accounting are transforming for the better. As so much more than a behind-the-scenes number-cruncher, you will be a truly collaborative partner with a seat at the table. You’ll bring your unique point of view, experience and passion for the work to your team and internal clients. Within Accounting, you’ll enjoy the interesting challenges of the competitive retail space, and you’ll have a 360-degree impact—rather than on just one part of the business. You’ll see your contributions come to life in virtually every area of this dynamic enterprise. And you’ll grow and be challenged in your career while having a healthy balance with life outside of work. A role in the Controller’s Group/Finance Ops calls on your skills for quality financial and inventory reporting and accurate financials and technical accounting while providing thoughtful and responsive support, expertise and guidance to business partners. Your role will be critical to ensuring the success of Target’s business initiatives and core retail operations. A role with Merchandise Payables reconciling store/DC invoices for prompt and accurate payment. This individual will provide extraordinary customer service to vendors and merchants by researching, resolving, and negotiating disputes relating to deductions from invoice payments in a thorough and timely manner, while ensuring protection of company assets. Use your skills, experience and talents to be a part of groundbreaking thinking and visionary goals. As a Analyst Merch Payable you’ll have the opportunity to Primary function - Act as the point of contact for escalated issues on the team. Develop consistent process documentation. Timely, accurate payment to Vendors through data analysis, problem solving, initiative, leadership and good communication. Complete weekly/monthly reporting and special projects as assigned by Supervisor or Manager. Vendor Relations - Provides extraordinary customer service to vendors and merchants by resolving disputes. Researches all items disputed relating to deduction for shortage, cost differences, markdown allowance reversals, return discrepancies, accounts payable violations, terms/discounts and other miscellaneous vendor issues to establish their validity. Coordinates research with the Merchants, Vendor Relations and Transportation to establish validity of deductions. Mailbox Handling – Responsible for handling daily inflow of generic mailboxes/Mails from MPLS. All emails needs to be addressed within the stipulated turnaround time. Ensure that details are carefully audited for timely payment of invoices. MPLS Relations – Maintain excellent relations with MPLS by promptly and accurately resolving issues related to invoices. Coordinate with Supervisor to determine resolution. Problem Resolution – Using available reports, identify trends, problems and issues that prevent or delay payment to vendors. Communicate issues and facilitate problem resolution with MPLs. Aging Report Analysis – Receive and review monthly aging reports for assigned Workflow. Identify trends associated with delayed payment to vendor. Work with MPLS to obtain necessary information and documentation to pay vendor. Responsible for ensuring timely process of payments for all vendor. Team Work – Operates in a team environment. Ensure departmental and individual backlog goals are met and maintained. Process Ownership: Collaborate with stake holders, training team, process analysts & management in ensuring the stability of the process. In addition, any process changes/updates are shared & knowledge gaps are filled based on scenarios. Also ensure that necessary training requirements are completed for team. Past Due Goal – Receive, research and attempt payment on all past due invoices and ensuring team is meeting the goal Process Documentation and Cross-Training – Develop process documentation and evaluate processes to ensure consistencies among the team. Help Supervisor develop and implement a cross-training plan to combine team responsibilities. Communication – Maintains an excellent level of verbal and written communication between vendors, HQ partners in Minneapolis and other areas of Target. Initiates, coordinates and leads meetings between teams, Merchandising, vendors and/or other areas of Target Departmental Reporting – Responsible for weekly/monthly reporting for departmental backlog figures and carrier issues. Team Handling - Forecasting trend, volume vs Capacity analysis, Time and utilization reporting, Quality and control framework preparation. Creating and maintaining business continuity. New hire onboarding and orientation Special Projects – Coordinate and/or participate in special projects as assigned by Manager or Sr. Manager. Reporting and Special Projects – Complete various weekly/monthly reporting as needed and directed by Supervisor and/or Manager. Coordinate and participate in special projects as assigned by Manager and Sr. Manager. Productive Partnerships - Proactive in developing productive partnerships with Merchandising, vendors and other areas of Target. Learns and understands the process and business of our customers. Mentoring / Buddy – Acts as a buddy and mentor to new hires in the team and bring them up in the learning curve and also helps underperforming team members to resolve issues pertaining to the process. Special Projects - Coordinates and/or participates in special projects as directed by Team Leads, Supervisor or Manager. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs . About You: Commerce Degree, Accounting & Finance 6+ years’ experience Accounts Payable and/or Transportation experience Demonstrated leadership ability, strong decision-making skills Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills Proven excellent communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills Independent and self-motivated High sense of urgency and initiative Advanced excel & access database knowledge Hands on experience on SAP/Mainframe processing systems Excellent negotiation, organizational and problem solving skills Excellent negotiation, organizational and problem solving skills Experience Level Senior Level