Trade Spend Team Lead – 1 Year

What you'll do:

As Trade Spend Team Lead, you will oversee the end-to-end process of distributor and customer OA claim processing as well as MF transaction checking. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve validating documentation for trade-related claims, monitoring workflows for timely approvals, liaising with various teams to ensure compliance with contractual terms, and collaborating with Accounts Receivable for accurate reconciliation. You will also perform regular checks for discrepancies or risks, propose improvements for centralised finance activities, reconcile trade spend balances across multiple systems, prepare monthly reconciliations with detailed variance analysis, and support month-end closing procedures. Additionally, you will contribute to internal and external audit requests related to trade spend and customer claims. Managing a regional team across Southeast Asia forms a core part of your role; you will train team members on processes and systems, manage leave calendars for coverage, act as the first point of escalation for issues, and ensure cross-training within departments. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, adaptability as the scope evolves, excellent interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration, and reliability in maintaining data accuracy.

• Process and approve distributors’ and customers’ trade-related claims such as promotional invoices, credit notes, and deductions in accordance with company guidelines.
• Validate the completeness and accuracy of claim documentation including supporting agreements, contracts, and promotional proof of performance to ensure compliance.
• Escalate discrepancies in claims to Sales or Trade Marketing teams for corrective actions and follow up promptly on agreed resolutions.
• Monitor claim workflows closely to guarantee timely approvals and postings while maintaining alignment with contractual terms.
• Liaise regularly with Sales and Trade Marketing teams to confirm compliance with agreements and foster collaborative relationships.
• Cooperate with the Accounts Receivable team to reconcile deductions and ensure proper clearing of open items within financial systems.
• Perform periodic checks to identify discrepancies, overdue claims, or potential risks that may impact financial reporting or audit requirements.
• Enhance centralisation of claims activities within Finance by proposing improvements and ensuring alignment across departments.
• Reconcile Trade Spend balances between SAP ECC and tracking files to guarantee consistency and correct flow into managerial P&L statements.
• Prepare monthly reconciliations between SAP/financial estimates versus Commercial team approved spend, providing variance analysis and explanations.

What you bring:

In the Trade Spend Team Lead position, your proven experience in financial reconciliation using SAP systems combined with advanced Excel capabilities will be invaluable. Your familiarity with FMCG market dynamics equips you with insights into industry-specific requirements for trade spend management. You bring adaptability that allows you to thrive in evolving roles while maintaining reliability in data accuracy. Your interpersonal skills enable seamless collaboration across departments such as Sales, Trade Marketing, Admin Team/AR. As someone who values knowledge sharing, you are adept at training others on processes and systems while managing leave calendars for optimal coverage. Your commitment to resolving issues through appropriate escalation channels further enhances your effectiveness in this role. By leveraging these skills alongside your attention to detail and flexibility, you will contribute significantly not only to accurate financial reporting but also to building a supportive network within the organisation.

• Intermediate Excel skills including proficiency in VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables; Power Query experience is considered advantageous.
• Experience extracting data from SAP systems is essential for effective reconciliation processes.
• Knowledge of the FMCG market enables you to understand industry-specific challenges related to trade spend management.
• Adaptability and flexibility are crucial as this new role may evolve over time based on business needs.
• Strong attention to detail ensures thorough checking of documents for accurate claim processing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills allow you to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders such as Sales, Trade Marketing, Admin Team/AR.
• Reliability in maintaining data accuracy supports decision-making processes across departments.
• Ability to train team members on processes and systems fosters knowledge sharing within the team.
• Experience managing leave calendars ensures adequate coverage during absences while promoting cross-training among departments.
• Proven ability to escalate issues appropriately demonstrates your commitment to resolving problems efficiently.

What sets this company apart:

This global organisation stands out by fostering an inclusive culture where every employee’s contributions are recognised. With flexible working opportunities designed around your needs and generous training programmes that encourage continuous learning, you can expect both personal growth and professional development. The company values dependability and collaboration—ensuring that teams work together harmoniously towards shared goals. Supportive leadership is at the heart of their approach; managers are committed to nurturing talent through mentorship rather than hierarchy. Employees benefit from being part of a knowledgeable network where information is freely shared across functions. The organisation’s dedication to transparency means that your input is valued in shaping processes that impact business outcomes. Whether you’re seeking stability or advancement within a communal environment that prioritises empathy and understanding among colleagues, this employer offers an exceptional platform for building lasting relationships while achieving success together.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge where your expertise makes a real difference—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.
Robert Walters (Singapore) Pte Ltd
ROC No.: 199706961E | EA Licence No.: 03C5451