Trade Finance Associate

Aston Carter•Solon, OH

1d•$30 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trade Finance Associate supports trade management, forecasting, and financial reconciliation activities to ensure accurate promotional spend, clean deductions, and reliable sales reporting. This role manages data across multiple systems, partners closely with cross-functional teams, and contributes to continuous improvement of trade finance processes. The position is well suited for a detail-oriented, analytical professional who enjoys working with data, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving accuracy in financial and trade-related operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience defined as a minimum of 4 years of relevant, professional-level experience in a similar field.
1–2 years of professional experience in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Sales, or Sales Support, or a closely related area.
Finance and accounting knowledge, with practical experience in invoicing and deduction-related processes.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support decision-making.
Accurate and efficient data entry skills with a strong focus on data integrity and completeness.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability for results and deliverables.
Clear, concise, and effective communication skills in both written and verbal formats, tailored to different audiences.
High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
Proven ability to manage complex workflows, handle changing requirements, and adapt to shifting priorities.
Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot issues and develop practical solutions.
Advanced computer proficiency and demonstrated ability to quickly learn and navigate new systems and tools.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and especially Excel.
Intermediate Excel skills, including the ability to work with pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with trade finance, trade promotion management, or similar financial operations is beneficial.
Familiarity with systems such as XTEL, ADL, and other trade or financial tools is an advantage.
Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams such as Sales, Finance, Customer Service, and Field teams.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate training sessions, refreshers, or best-practice workshops.
Background in analytic or reporting roles where interpreting and presenting data was a key responsibility.

Responsibilities

Input and maintain accurate trade updates and changes in XTEL to ensure all promotions and trade events are correctly reflected in the system.
Validate and update the Assortment Distribution List (ADL) so that customer assortments and distribution details remain current and accurate.
Collaborate with Customer Service to ensure customer profiles are complete, accurate, and up to date across all relevant systems.
Prepare and send sales reports to CAM/DSM for review and schedule forecast review calls to align on expectations and performance.
Validate forecast numbers and ensure they align with the Trade Review Report (TRR), flagging discrepancies and resolving issues promptly.
Support planning tools, including the Planning Tool and Weekly Event Spend Report, by providing accurate inputs and validating outputs.
Review and revise the sales and trade forecast before the monthly lock date to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information is captured.
Analyze prior month and prior year performance to identify gaps, trends, and opportunities, and clearly communicate these insights to stakeholders.
Review and reconcile trade events to ensure goals and TRR align with Sales Finance, addressing discrepancies and ensuring financial accuracy.
Manage promotional data updates and confirm accuracy across all systems to support effective trade planning and execution.
Conduct daily reviews of SDB (sales bulletins), identify required follow-up actions, and ensure timely completion of those actions.
Validate invoice backup documentation and process payments in XTEL in accordance with established procedures and timelines.
Match customer deductions to promotions, working closely with Business Partners to resolve mismatches and minimize outstanding issues.
Manage weekly deduction reports, monitor open items, and escalate unresolved or complex issues to appropriate stakeholders.
Collaborate and assist on UADs by reviewing the 054/055 report to determine whether funds can be applied to UADs and taking appropriate actions.
Review and assist with no-paperwork deductions, focusing on aged cases over 60 days and driving resolution to reduce outstanding balances.
Participate in monthly Sales and Trade review calls with Field Finance, Account Managers, and CAM/DSM, providing updates and insights on trade performance.
Coordinate with CAM/DSM to gather updates, clarify issues, and support resolution of trade-related questions or discrepancies.
Facilitate monthly training sessions, including refreshers and best practices, to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the team.