Accounts Payable Assistant

Accounts Payable Specialist

Location: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS 66106

Work Model: Hybrid

Department: Accounting

Make us your BEST Choice! 

Position Overview: Embrace the Challenge

Are you naturally curious, energized by solving complex puzzles, and excited to work collaboratively toward a shared vision? The AWG Support Center Accounting Department is seeking driven, entry-level candidates for our Accounts Payable team.

Being a seasoned AP clerk is not a prerequisite. We care far more about your attitude, adaptability, and desire to grow than years of transactional experience. This role is a genuine challenge—it requires high attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and the recognition that in a large-scale supply chain cooperative, every action and inaction carries real operational consequences. If you are eager to streamline daily tasks, eliminate inefficiencies, and progressively take on larger, more complex projects, this is the launchpad for your financial career.

Key Responsibilities & Operational Impact

In this role, you will manage vital financial touchpoints that directly affect our vendors, distribution centers, and retail members:

• Invoice Processing & Validation: Review, process, and reconcile high volumes of vendor product invoices from both paper and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) streams.

• Exception & Discrepancy Research: Run daily exception reports and reference raw EDI data, PO numbers, and receiving receipts to ensure billing accuracy.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with Merchandising, Warehouse, and AP Leadership to resolve payment blockers and verify receiving records.

• Multi-System Navigation: Utilize specialized accounting tools—including Content Manager, OnDemand, Balances, and PeopleSoft—to research payables and reconcile accounts.

• Stakeholder Service & Case Management: Provide prompt, professional service to internal and external partners while managing and following up on inquiries via ServiceNow.

• Workflow Optimization: Actively look for ways to streamline routine tasks so you can free up capacity for higher-level projects and strategic initiatives.

Core Competencies & Mindset

• Natural Curiosity: An innate desire to ask "why," dig into raw data, and understand how individual transactions connect to the larger financial picture.

• Consequence Awareness: An understanding that both action (e.g., approving an inaccurate payment) and inaction (e.g., letting an invoice sit past terms) impact company relationships and cash flow.

• Great Attitude & Energy: A positive, resilient approach to daily challenges, tight deadlines, and changing priorities.

• Collaboration Focus: A desire to contribute to a supportive, high-performing team where victories are celebrated and challenges are solved together.

• Continuous Efficiency Drive: A habit of refining daily processes to work smarter and faster without compromising accuracy.

Position Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. (Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance is a plus, but not required).

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in 10-key and keyboarding by touch; comfort learning new software platforms quickly.

• Prior Experience: No prior AP or accounting experience is required! Candidates with strong organizational habits, attention to detail, and customer service experience are encouraged to apply.

• Deadlines & Organization: Ability to stay organized and calm while managing multiple priorities against aggressive processing schedules.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2025 were $12.2 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
• Wellness Program

• Yearly Holiday Bonus