Team Lead, Accounts Payable

About Carvana

If you like disrupting the norm and are looking to join a company revolutionizing an industry then you will LOVE what Carvana has done for the car buying experience. Buying a car the old fashioned way sucks and we are working hard to make it NOT suck. I mean, have you seen our vending machine?!

We are looking for people who are excited to thrive in an environment of impactful change. Team spirit is evident at Carvana and every day we let our passions and creativity foster innovation. We take big swings, set ambitious goals, and challenge each other to make data- and process-driven decisions in everything we do. We've been changing the game since 2013, and we're not taking our foot off the gas now.

About the Team and Position

We are looking for an Accounts Payable Team Lead to join our rapidly growing organization. This individual will serve as a bridge between our Senior AP Specialists and the AP Manager, providing day-to-day operational oversight while remaining a hands-on contributor to invoice processing, check runs, and payment disbursements. The AP Team Lead will be responsible for coaching team members, communicating with site locations, and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of all AP functions. Most importantly, you will see your insights have an immediate, tangible impact every day in a well-funded and rapidly growing company.

What You'll Be Doing

• Oversee day-to-day AP operations including invoice receipt, processing, verification, coding, and reconciliation across multiple business units.
• Manage and execute check runs, including review of ACH, check disbursements, wires, and credit card payments for accuracy prior to release.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for site locations, auction facilities, and internal stakeholders regarding payment status, vendor inquiries, and invoice discrepancies.
• Communicate proactively with site and hub locations to resolve payment issues, obtain approvals, and ensure timely processing of invoices.
• Partner closely with internal teams to enter and code financial data accurately, ensuring adherence to GL coding standards and company guidelines.
• Review and reconcile data from multiple sources (Oracle, Coupa, banking systems) to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Monitor team workload distribution and assist the AP Manager in assigning tasks, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Provide formal and informal coaching, training, and feedback to AP Specialists and Senior Specialists to support professional growth and process compliance.
• Identify processing errors, escalate anomalies, and work cross-functionally to resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Support the AP Manager in developing and maintaining AP procedures, process documentation, and training materials.
• Assist with month-end close activities including subledger review, vendor statement reconciliation, and reporting.
• Liaise with vendors to coordinate payments, resolve disputes, and maintain positive vendor relationships.
• Communicate effectively upward to the AP Manager regarding team performance, process gaps, and escalation items.

What You Should Know/Have

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of accounts payable experience, with at least 1 year in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
• Hands-on experience with full-cycle AP processing including invoice coding, check runs, ACH/wire disbursements, and reconciliation.
• Experience communicating with multiple site or regional locations in a multi-entity or multi-location environment.
• Proficiency in AP and accounting systems such as Oracle, Coupa, or similar platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including pivot tables and VLOOKUP.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage, organize, and reconcile high volumes of transactions accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor team members, provide constructive feedback, and support team development.
• Excellent communication skills — both written and verbal — for cross-functional collaboration and site-level correspondence.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify discrepancies, escalate appropriately, and drive resolution.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with 1099 filing and knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is a plus.

What We'll Offer in Return

• Full-Time Salary Position with a competitive salary.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits.
• 401K with company match.
• A multitude of perks including student loan payments, discounts on vehicles, benefits for your pets, and much more.
• A great wellness program to keep you healthy and happy both physically and mentally.
• Access to opportunities to expand your skill set and share your knowledge with others across the organization.
• A company culture of promotions from within, with a start-up atmosphere allowing for varied and rapid career development.
• A seat in one of the fastest-growing companies in the country.

Legal Stuff

Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.