Accounts Payable Specialist

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.</p></div><p>Vast is looking for a(n) <strong>Accounts Payable Specialist</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Accounts Payable Manager, </strong>to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. </p>
<p>In this role, you will be responsible for processing a high volume of invoices, managing vendor relationships, ensuring accurate and timely payments, and contributing to process improvements and automation initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key part in building and optimizing financial operations within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.</p>
<p>This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>, <strong>non-exempt </strong>position located in our <strong>Long Beach </strong>location. </p>
<p><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Process high-volume of vendor invoices 500+ per month</li>
<li>Takes ownership of vendor accounts, ensuring timely payments</li>
<li>Communicates clearly with the AP Manager regarding vendor onboarding, payment schedules, and PO creation issues</li>
<li>Match invoices to purchase orders and receipts and the resolution of any discrepancies</li>
<li>Ensure all invoices have proper backup, coding, and approvals before processing</li>
<li>Assist with vendor payments and international payments</li>
<li>Manage vendor onboarding process including setting-up credit terms, up-to-date W9 forms and other necessary information</li>
<li>Reconcile vendor statements, research, and correct discrepancies</li>
<li>Contribute to automation and process improvement projects</li>
<li> Establish and maintain electronic repository for supporting documentation related to all invoices and reimbursements</li>
<li>Provide excellent customer service to internal customers and Supplier inquiries</li>
<li>Provide timely responses to vendor emails and internal customer inquiries</li>
<li>Assist the Finance team with other ad-hoc projects as needed</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>High school diploma</li>
<li>5-10 years experience in accounts payable </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preferred Skills & Experience:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration preferred</li>
<li>Experience in manufacturing industry, aerospace preferred</li>
<li>Proficient with Google Suite products (sheets, slides and documents)</li>
<li>Ability to work effectively in a team environment</li>
<li>Excellent  and clear communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in-writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers</li>
<li>Logical and strategic and resourceful  approach to solving problems, understands the urgency of on time payments </li>
<li>Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction</li>
<li>Experience with Netsuite and Ramp or equivalent AP software/accounting systems</li>
<li>Strong understanding of procurement and cost accounting principles</li>
<li>Exceptional attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills</li>
<li>Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment</li>
<li>Strong problem-solving skills and accountability</li>
<li>Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism</li>
<li>Self-starter who works well independently and as part of a team</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Work overtime if needed</li>
<li>This is an in-person role</li>
</ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$27.60</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$39.10 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong><br>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS<br><br></strong>The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.<br><br></p>
<p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong><br><br>Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.</p></div>