Trade Spend Manager

Trade Promotion Spend Management

Ensure all customer trade promotion chargebacks are valid, authorized deductions that are accurately accounted for by customer, promotion, and general ledger account within the trade promotion management (TPM) system

Partner closely with the Head of Sales Operations to support promotion planning, execution, and accuracy within the TPM system

Serve as the primary relationship manager for the TPM service provider and act as the internal TPM superuser

Set up and maintain customer records, SKUs, promotions, and general ledger mappings within the TPM system

Upload and validate direct customer sales, distributor shipments, and consumption data into the TPM system

Manage automated workflows for incoming customer remittances and chargeback documentation

Enter and maintain non-chargeback accounts payable invoices within the TPM system

Review, validate, and allocate customer chargebacks to the appropriate promotions while driving process scalability through automation, AI, and outsourced operational support

Trade Spend Accruals & ERP Integration

Prepare monthly trade spend accruals by customer, promotion, and general ledger account by analyzing open promotions, planned spend, and chargeback activity within the TPM system in accordance with company accounting policies and GAAP

Summarize accruals by channel and general ledger account and review findings with the CFO, Controller, and Accounting Manager

Export, validate and reconcile trade promotion spend data from the TPM system for ERP upload and financial reporting and balance sheet accuracy

Partner with Accounting to support accurate month-end close processes through detailed reconciliation and variance analysis

Customer Disputes & Deduction Resolution

Partner with the TPM service provider to identify, dispute, and resolve invalid customer chargebacks

Collaborate with Operations to dispute logistics fines, shortages, and other operational deductions

Assist Finance with collections and accounts receivable follow-up related to settled disputes

Track deduction trends and root causes to improve recovery rates and reduce future chargebacks

Budgeting, Audit & Financial Support

Collaborate with the Head of Sales Operations and Financial Planning & Analysis to develop annual and monthly trade spend budgets by customer, promotion, and general ledger account within the TPM system

Support year-end audit requests and provide supporting trade spend documentation as needed

Help maintain strong financial controls, documentation, and audit readiness across trade spend processes

Reporting, Insights & Process Improvement

Prepare monthly trade spend reporting and variance analysis versus budget and forecast

Provide trade spend data, analysis, and insights to external trade spend consultants

Support Sales leadership with TPM reporting, analysis, and performance insights

Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, and Operations to improve the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of trade spend processes

Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and improved reporting capabilities across systems and workflows

What You Bring

• Strong understanding of trade promotion spend, customer deductions, accrual accounting, and retailer/distributor programs within a CPG environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Operations, and external partners
• Ability to manage large volumes of transactional data while maintaining accuracy and organization
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain financial and operational insights
• High ownership mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and operating effectively in a fast-paced, evolving business
• Ability to identify process inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Advanced Excel and data manipulation capabilities; experience working with ERP and TPM systems
• Interest in leveraging automation, AI, and scalable processes to improve operational efficiency
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field
• 10+ years of finance and accounting experience, including 5+ years managing trade promotion spend in a CPG food & beverage environment
• Experience working with trade promotion management (TPM) software
• Experience working with major food distributors and retailers (eg. UNFI, KeHE, Amazon, Target)
• Experience identifying and successfully disputing incorrect chargebacks in customer portals
• Experience with trade spend accrual accounting, balance sheet reconciliations and month-end close processes
• Advanced Excel, data manipulation skills
• Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred)

Your Experience

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.

The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, and lift or move items up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this role include close vision for computer work.

This position is primarily a remote position with occasional travel to headquarters located in San Rafael, Ca, Bay Area candidates preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

This full-time role will receive a competitive salary + benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401k, and equity. This position's anticipated annual pay range is $120,000 - $130,000 plus bonus and equity. Various factors are considered when determining an individual's compensation–including a candidate's professional background, education, certifications, experience, professional licenses, and location. Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed. We neither ask for nor take into consideration the salary history of applicants.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.