Principal Analyst - OTC

AB InBev GCC India; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

AB InBev GCC India is seeking a Principal Analyst, OTC to lead end-to-end Order to Cash operations across designated markets, ensuring service delivery, governance, and people development.

You will drive performance against SLAs, coach a team of OTC professionals, partner with Zone Finance and Commercial teams, and lead initiatives in cash application, collections, and automation across the OTC value chain.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of OTC/AR/Shared Services experience.
• 2–3 years of team leadership experience.
• Strong ERP experience with SAP ECC and/or SAP S4HANA.
• Experience in GBS or multinational environments.
• Experience driving process improvements and automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end OTC operations for designated markets, ensuring SLA/KPI delivery.
• Drive Cash Application, Collections, AR, Dispute Management, and Reporting processes.
• Monitor metrics, identify risks and opportunities for performance improvement.
• Lead month/quarter/year-end close with accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Coach and develop OTC analysts; drive performance reviews and succession planning.
• Promote compliance with controls, governance, and audit requirements.

Skills

OTC operations

Team leadership

Analytical skills

ERP experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Commerce/Business Administration

CA/CMA/ACCA/CPA/MBA Finance

Tools

SAP ECC

SAP S4HANA

Power BI

Power Automate

Alteryx

RPA tools

Job description

The Principal Analyst, OTC is responsible for leading end-to-end Order to Cash operations across designated markets while ensuring service delivery excellence, governance, compliance, and people development. The role will drive operational performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs, lead a team of OTC professionals, and ensure effective execution of cash application, collections, deductions/dispute management, accounts receivable, reporting, and month-end close activities.

The incumbent will actively partner with Zone Finance, Commercial teams, and GCC stakeholders to strengthen internal controls, improve cash flow, enhance customer experience, reduce process inefficiencies, and drive automation and digital transformation initiatives across the OTC value chain.

The Associate Manager will foster a high-performance culture by developing team capabilities, driving continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with MICS and audit requirements, and promoting standardization and best practices across processes.

Key Tasks & Accountabilities

Operations Management

• Manage end-to-end OTC operations for assigned markets, ensuring delivery against SLA, KPI, and business targets.
• Drive performance across Cash Application, Collections, Accounts Receivable, Dispute Management, and Reporting processes.
• Monitor operational metrics and proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and performance improvement opportunities.
• Ensure timely escalation and resolution of critical operational issues impacting business performance.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities with high accuracy and adherence to timelines.
• Review key operational reports and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of OTC analysts and associates.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, goal setting, career development discussions, and succession planning.
• Drive employee engagement and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Manage workload allocation, staffing requirements, and productivity planning.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and capability-building initiatives within the team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous learning.

Cash Application & Accounts Receivable

• Ensure accurate and timely application of incoming customer payments through manual and automated processes.
• Drive reduction of unapplied and unidentified cash balances.
• Monitor aging receivables and partner with Zone stakeholders to improve collection effectiveness.
• Ensure proper reconciliation and closure of open receivable items.
• Support working capital improvement initiatives and cash flow optimization.

Dispute & Deductions Management

• Oversee the end-to-end dispute management process and ensure timely closure of customer claims.
• Review root causes of recurring deductions and develop corrective action plans.
• Partner with Commercial, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Finance teams to eliminate systemic issues.
• Ensure proper documentation, approvals, and audit trail for all adjustments and credit notes.

Compliance, Controls & Governance

• Ensure strict adherence to MICS, SOX, audit requirements, and company policies.
• Conduct regular control reviews and monitor compliance across OTC processes.
• Drive risk identification, mitigation, and control enhancement initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit observations.
• Maintain and update SOPs, process documentation, and control matrices.
• Identify opportunities for process standardization, simplification, and optimization.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives within OTC operations.
• Collaborate with Digital, Automation, and Technology teams to implement automation solutions.
• Drive adoption of RPA, analytics, dashboards, workflow tools, and digital transformation projects.
• Monitor automation benefits realization and efficiency improvements.
• Champion a culture of innovation and data-driven decision-making.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for business stakeholders and regional finance teams.
• Build strong relationships with Zone Finance Controllers, Commercial teams, Customer Service teams, and other GCC functions.
• Present operational performance, project updates, and improvement initiatives to leadership teams.
• Drive alignment between business priorities and service delivery objectives.

Reporting & Analytics

Review and present key OTC performance metrics, including:

• DSO
• Cash application accuracy
• SLA adherence

Perform trend analysis and provide recommendations for operational improvements.

Support management reporting and business reviews through actionable insights.

Project Accountability

• Lead and support global, regional, and local OTC transformation initiatives.
• Ensure successful delivery of assigned projects, including process migrations, standardization, automation, and system enhancements.
• Coordinate with project leads, finance leadership, and business stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise for OTC process design and optimization initiatives.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional qualifications such as CA, CMA, ACCA, CPA, or MBA Finance are an added advantage.

Previous Work Experience

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in Order to Cash, Accounts Receivable, Collections, or Shared Services operations.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience managing teams and leading operational delivery.
• Strong experience in ERP platforms such as SAP ECC and/or S4HANA.
• Experience in Global Business Services (GBS), Shared Services, or multinational environments preferred.
• Proven experience in driving process improvement and automation initiatives.
• Exposure to audit, compliance, and control frameworks.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of OTC processes and end-to-end finance operations.
• Advanced MS Excel and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of SAP S4HANA, Power BI, Power Automate, Alteryx, RPA solutions, or equivalent tools is preferred.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in performance management and operational governance.

And above all of this, an undying love for beer!

We dream big to create a future with more cheers