Trade Spend Manager

Description:

Gellert Global Group (GGG), a powerhouse in North American food importing, is seeking a Trade Spend Manager to play a critical role in driving sustainable income growth and optimizing gross margins across a broad customer base. GGG companies, including Atalanta Corporation, Camerican International, Finica, and Tipico Cheese Products, have been industry leaders in food importing for over 100 years with combined revenues exceeding $1.7 billion.

As the Trade Spend Manager, you will take ownership of the entire trade promotion lifecycle, from budgeting and planning to execution, reconciliation, and evaluation. This cross-functional position requires close collaboration with Sales, Finance, Marketing, and other departments to ensure that trade spend strategies align with overall business objectives while delivering data-driven recommendations to enhance profitability and maximize ROI.

Key Responsibilities:

✅ Trade Promotion Lifecycle Management: Manage all aspects of trade promotions, ensuring alignment with company goals from budgeting and planning to execution and post-event evaluation.

✅ Promotion Effectiveness & ROI Analysis: Analyze promotional outcomes to assess effectiveness and profitability, delivering actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.

✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Sales, Finance, and Marketing teams to align trade spend strategies with sales and business objectives. Collaborate with demand planning teams to improve forecast accuracy.

✅ Compliance & Financial Reconciliation: Ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to company guidelines and regulatory standards in all trade spend activities.

✅ Data Management & Insights: Manage trade promotion data across multiple platforms, performing regular analysis of costing, discounts, and marketing support expenses. Deliver periodic trade spend reviews with insight-driven recommendations.

✅ Vendor & Supplier Oversight: Manage contracts and agreements related to trade promotion management systems to ensure effective system performance.

✅ Continuous Improvement: Actively seek opportunities to enhance trade spend processes, pricing strategies, and promotional tactics, ensuring alignment with evolving company strategies.

Qualifications & Requirements:

✔️ Minimum 7 years of experience in Finance, Trade Management, Sales, or similar roles, preferably within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
✔️ Proven expertise in financial analysis, revenue management, and trade promotion management.
✔️ Strong proficiency in Exceedra (or similar Trade Spend Management software), and Microsoft Excel.
✔️ Familiarity with INFOR ERP is a plus.
✔️ Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret consumer/customer insights, competitive data, and pricing strategies.
✔️ Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration experience with Sales, Finance, and Marketing teams.
✔️ Experience in forecasting, sales performance analysis, and trade optimization.

Education:

🎓 Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, or related fields required.

Skills:

🔎 Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to convert insights into actionable strategies.
💼 Expertise in trade promotion management and revenue growth management.
📊 Excellent communication and influencing skills to drive decisions across multiple organizational levels.
📑 Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational and time management abilities.
🌐 Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
📈 Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and trade management software such as Exceedra or Blacksmith.

Preferred Qualifications:

⭐ Experience managing trade spend in foodservice, grocery, mass retail, club channels, or e-commerce.
⭐ Strategic mindset with a focus on process improvement and profitability optimization.
⭐ Prior experience leading teams and providing coaching and feedback.
⭐ Experience using syndicated data sources such as Nielsen, IRI, or SPINS to support business decisions.

Benefits:

🏥 Health & Insurance:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life, accident, and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

💰 Financial Perks:

• Competitive pay with annual bonus opportunities
• 401(k) match with immediate vesting
• Generous employee referral program

🌟 Happiness & Work-Life Balance:

• Paid time off and parental leave
• Flexible work schedules (where applicable)
• Professional development via online courses, classroom training, and education assistance programs
• Employee engagement programs including team-building events, wellness initiatives, and company-sponsored celebrations

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment:

Gellert Global Group and its companies are proud Equal Opportunity Employers, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.