ELIZABETH BLACKMER
Midlothian
Summary
Multifaceted service and trade industry professional, dedicated to providing superior customer service and ensuring client satisfaction. Possess exemplary communication and critical thinking skills. Able to manage challenging situations with poise and professionalism. Capable of adapting to new professional settings, learning new processes, and adding value shortly after hiring with little training and guidance.
Experienced accounts payable manager bringing several years' experience overseeing all facets of accounts payable functions. Expert in overseeing daily operations, including invoice processing, vendor relationships, expense reporting and team leadership. Successful in improving workflow and efficiency by reallocating functions based on staff strengths.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable Manager
Costen Floors
Henrico
2025.03 - Current
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely invoice processing.
- Oversaw payment approvals to maintain compliance with company policies.
- Implemented cost-saving measures in accounts payable procedures.
- Led monthly reconciliation of accounts to ensure accuracy.
- Trained staff on best practices for invoice handling and processing.
- Coordinated with procurement team to resolve payment discrepancies.
- Streamlined workflow for invoice entry using accounting software systems.
- Reviewed all invoices for accuracy, subsequently resolving various issues.
- Monitored aging reports to prevent overdue payments and maintain vendor trust.
- Maintained accurate records of invoices, purchase orders, and other financial documents.
- Monitored daily accounts payable activities and ensured compliance with established internal control procedures.
- Researched discrepancies between invoice amounts, purchase orders, receiving reports.
- Prepared weekly check runs for approval by management or executive staff members.
- Negotiated payment terms with vendors to maximize cash flow and minimize interest expenses.
- Managed credit card programs including issuing cards and reconciling monthly statements.
- Efficiently maintained accounts payable transaction processing and led team on training initiatives to ensure continuity.
- Worked cross-functionally with various teams and departments to improve operations.
- Provided guidance to team members regarding complex billing issues or payment inquiries.
- Followed company's strict rules and procedures to maintain data integrity and confidentiality.
- Conducted periodic audits of accounts payable transactions to ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
- Developed and implemented effective strategies to reduce costs associated with accounts payable processes.
- Used exemplary communication and interaction skills to build strong working relationships with partners, employees, and clients.
- Coordinated with procurement and receiving departments to resolve invoice discrepancies and ensure proper expense allocation.
- Identified opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements within the accounts payable function.
- Maintained accurate vendor files and records, ensuring easy access and compliance with auditing standards.
- Negotiated payment terms with suppliers to improve cash flow and build strong vendor relationships.
- Managed a team of accounts payable clerks, providing training and support to ensure high performance and career development.
- Led month-end and year-end closing processes for accounts payable, ensuring deadlines were met and financial reports were accurate.
- Prepared and presented accounts payable reports to senior management, highlighting key metrics and financial insights.
- Handled high-volume invoice processing with minimal supervision.
- Problem-solved accounts payable questions on behalf of internal team members, management and vendors.
- Worked closely with department personnel to produce accurate and timely bills.
- Applied mathematical skills to calculate totals, check figures, and correct problems with physical and digital files.
Sales Coordinator
Costen Flooring America
Richmond
2023.03 - 2023.12
- Managed a sales team and facilitated communication between sales representatives. Achieved sales goals and maintained positive customer relations. Developed and maintained relationships with builders, vendors, and distributors. Closed sales with residential and commercial customers through consultive selling.
- Performed in the top five of sales coordinators since the first month of reporting. Averaging $60k+ monthly.
- Rolled out Retail 2.0, a new sales strategy. Managed pricing and training of the sales team. Ensured that best-selling products not within the new set were brought back out to maintain relationships and continued sales growth.
- Learned and streamlined processes within the Insurance Division. Created efficiencies in inspection procedures, information communication and maintaining good relations with agents. Increasing the acceptance rates of our bids by 15% within 4 months.
- Coordinated ordering, delivery, staining and installation of all types of flooring. Including unfinished, pre-finished, engineered, LVP, LVT, carpet, ceramic, sheet vinyl and commercial flooring.
- Maintained a minimum of 30% GP of builder sales and 50%+ GP of residential sales.
Service Manager
Southern States Petroleum
Amelia
2022.11 - 2023.03
- Managed six propane service technicians. Coordinated scheduling. Oversaw part ordering and inventory. Achieved sales goals, perpetuating growth. Maintained current relations with vendors and customers while securing new vendor and customer accounts. Supervised, conducted, and arranged training.
- Implemented new pricing structures, increasing gross profit 20% within 3 months.
- Streamlined scheduling for efficiency. Reduced fuel usage, labor costs and increasing customer satisfaction. Allowed for an increase in completed jobs and generated revenue by 10%..
- Sold and installed three of the largest residential jobs in Southern States Amelia Petroleum. $12k, $21k and $31k.
- Intervened in an underperforming propane location for Southern States, identifying key operational deficiencies and employee knowledge gaps. Increased billing speed and customer satisfaction. Achieved quarterly sales for the entire location, growing steadily in service 5%-7% quarterly.
- Identified the need for critical supply chain changes. Eliminating daily trips for parts, decreasing parts and supplies costs, and labor costs by an average of 10%.
Senior Service Coordinator
Blossman Gas
Powhatan
2021.09 - 2022.11
- Oversaw a team of three propane service technicians and two apprentices, leveraging a relationship-oriented approach to build trust and morale that led to high performance. Coordinated scheduling, managed billing, sales growth, and work sites. Coordinated with branch management to improve all areas within the P&L.
- Created and implemented a retention strategy that increased retention to 95% from 70%. Including a hiring practice that incorporated training new employees with seasoned employees due to a stale candidate market.
- Identified inefficiencies in the service department, resulting in elimination of a budget deficit of -$27k and created a budget surplus of +$16.4k. Streamlined scheduling, increased and implemented new forms of communication, and developed a team that enabled increased production.
- Renegotiated contracts with nineteen builders, improving ROI from 21 years to 3 years on buried propane tanks.
- Procured 15+ new accounts that built long lasting relationships with high grossing revenue of over $100k+ per year.
- Identified and recovered $65k+ of income due to inaccurate inventory and accounting errors. Implemented new procedures and contracts for builder gas and metered gas neighborhoods, ensuring accurate billing and inventory.
Field Support Specialist/Customer Care Specialists
Radio Systems Corporation
Knoxville
2021.01 - 2021.09
- Provided exceptional support to 75+ customers per day in both business to business and business to consumer relationships. Learned and promoted entire line of product and services. Streamlined and scheduled for installation and training.
- Excelled in both inbound and outbound sales as a Customer Care Specialist. Generated $20k-$30k in revenue monthly, consistently held in the top three of sales. Upselling 50%+ of sales opportunities, an average of $325 per call.
- Analyzed the scheduling process of training and installation that decreased average call times to less than 5 minutes; previously 8+ minutes. Learned trainer and installers skill sets and became proficient in scheduling and map tools.
Customer Service Manager
Food Lion
Manakin Sabot
2020.02 - 2021.01
Customer Service Manager
Harris Teeter
Charlotte
2018.06 - 2020.02
Service Team Lead
Wegmans
Henrico
2016.01 - 2018.06
Customer Operations Manager
Ukrop's Supermarkets and Martin's Food and Drug Store
Richmond
1997.08 - 2016.01
Education
General Studies -
John Tyler Community College
Midlothian, VASkills
- Leadership
- Conflict Resolution
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Customer Service
- Sales
- Staff Training
- Logistical Planning
- Adaptability
- Interpersonal Skills
- Detailed Oriented
- Strategic Thinking
- Communication
- Time Management
- Cost Optimization
- Invoice processing
- Vendor management
- Accounts reconciliation
- Cost reduction strategies
- Data analysis
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Relationship building
- Training development
- Training and mentoring
- File maintenance
- Workflow management
- Team building
- Accounts payable software
- Team bonding
- Process improvements
- Accounts payable
- Vendor invoicing
- Workflow coordination
- Business processes and procedures
- Vendor relationship management
Certifications And Memberships
Class A Interstate CDL, No Restrictions, 160 Driving Academy, Midlothian, VA, 01/17/24
Professional Highlights
- Team Building: 25+ teams built that performed well above budgeted standards and turned high profit margins.
- Streamlining Processes: Inventory, schedule building, dispatching, and ordering. All with high yielding results.
- Profitability: Exceeded a budget of -$27k to +16.4k within 3 months. Gradually perpetuated positive profit margins.
Timeline
Accounts Payable Manager
Costen Floors
2025.03 - Current
Sales Coordinator
Costen Flooring America
2023.03 - 2023.12
Service Manager
Southern States Petroleum
2022.11 - 2023.03
Senior Service Coordinator
Blossman Gas
2021.09 - 2022.11
Field Support Specialist/Customer Care Specialists
Radio Systems Corporation
2021.01 - 2021.09
Customer Service Manager
Food Lion
2020.02 - 2021.01
Customer Service Manager
Harris Teeter
2018.06 - 2020.02
Service Team Lead
Wegmans
2016.01 - 2018.06
Customer Operations Manager
Ukrop's Supermarkets and Martin's Food and Drug Store
1997.08 - 2016.01
General Studies -
John Tyler Community College