Senior Accounts Payable Manager

The Company

Astra’s mission is to Improve Life on Earth from Space® by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services of any operational launch provider in the world, and one of the industry’s first flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, Astra Spacecraft Engine™. Astra delivered its first commercial launch to low Earth orbit in 2021, making it the fastest company in history to reach this milestone, just five years after it was founded in 2016. Astra (NASDAQ: ASTR) was the first space launch company to be publicly traded on Nasdaq.

Astra is seeking an experienced and motivated Sr. Manager, Accounts Payable to join our accounting team. This person will lead the hands-on operational management of the accounts payable function while leading a small but mighty team of accounting professionals.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ownership of and operational experience in a variety of areas: ERP and Procure to Pay systems (Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, Coupa, Ramp), travel and expense management, financial close processes and controls, SOX, accounts payable and T&E audits, regulatory compliance, vendor management, business process improvement, business partnership, cash management, people management, automation projects, benchmarking and KPIs for operational effectiveness, strategic planning.

You will report to Astra’s Controller where you will drive strategies to execution, possess empathetic and impactful leadership and business partnership skills, have a strong work ethic, be committed to continuous learning and improvement, and display a strong desire to drive process excellence.  

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Responsible for the management and execution of the accounts payable function; including weekly payment runs, vendor onboarding, travel and expense management, cash forecasting, business process controls, and automation projects.
• Oversee and provide leadership to the Astra Accounts Payable team, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching and development
• Develop, implement, and maintain systems, business processes, and policies applicable to the procure-to-pay cycle, including best practices in purchase order and accounts payable management, approvals, effective controls, and process documentation.
• Drive continuous process improvement and standardization in the procure-to-pay workstream by leading projects to implement automation and improve processes to achieve better productivity and efficiency
• Ensure accuracy in the three-way match, purchase orders are set up and are timely closed, and timely posting of all invoices to ensure accuracy in outstanding liabilities.
• Keep current on all accounts payable correspondence, both email and physical documentation with timely responses to ensure accuracy and completion in the outstanding accounts balances.
• Manage SOX and business process controls within the assigned areas of responsibility; actively identify any gaps and/or new controls required and take action to remediate any deficiencies
• Provide oversight and review over Form 1099 reporting and all procure to pay related regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.
• Manage monthly closing of financial records and posting of month-end information as it relates to accounts payable; ensure accuracy of accounts payable and related items in the financial statements
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to optimize the procure-to-pay process to deliver accurate and timely results
• Support audit and review requests in a timely fashion; providing records and support for activity as requested
• Assist with or be responsible for other duties and ad hoc projects as assigned

Why We Value You:

• 7+ years of accounts payable and other relevant experience in a public company; minimum 2 years, in a leadership role
• Direct and extensive experience managing and operating the procure-to-pay function; cash disbursements, three-way match, travel & expense, purchase orders, vendor management, process improvement, and automation experience
• Demonstrated experience in process improvement, including systems and process creation as it relates to procure-to-pay
• ERP and Accounts Payable/T&E Systems; especially Microsoft Dynamics, Coupa, Ramp
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel skills and excellent understanding of MS Word, and MS PowerPoint required
• Strong understanding of and experience with SOX, preparing, reviewing, and owning process controls and narratives. Responsible for timely updates to procure-to-pay documentation, including procure-to-pay desktop processes
• Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills, ability to learn quickly, and multi-task in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Robust problem-solving and analytical skills with a desire to enhance with a desire to enhance business processes
• Experience in leading, training, and developing direct reports
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including written communication, to establish and maintain strong working relationships and effective interactions across functional areas and with senior leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field
• Passion for process excellence

Desired Multipliers

• Advanced MS Excel Skills
• Advanced degree in accounting or related field
• Experience with change management and working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment is highly desired.