Trade Planning and Deduction Clearing Specialist

C.A. Carlin; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and Sick Days

11 paid company holidays per year

1 Floating Holiday

2 paid volunteer days per year

Parental leave (3 months fully paid)

Medical, dental, and vision

401k with company match

Summer hours (half day Fridays)

Work from home flexibility

Job summary

C.A. Carlin, a leading privately held sales agency, seeks a Trade Planner to act as the key liaison between the Sales Team and clients’ Trade Finance teams.

You will ensure promotions are entered accurately and timely, while building strong client relationships and maintaining organized, standards-compliant processes. The role emphasizes learning various trade management systems, reviewing deductions for accuracy, and contributing to continuous improvement in a collaborative, hybrid work

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication with clients and partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong data entry and analytical abilities with focus on accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel); Acrobat preferred.
• Previous trade planning experience is a plus.
• CPG industry experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with clients and communicate with client contacts via phone and email.
• Learn and navigate trade management and deduction systems to enter and maintain promotional plans.
• Develop and maintain procedures, processes, and timelines for trade planning to meet client expectations.
• Review customer deductions for accuracy and determine validity.
• Maintain organization while managing multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities.
• Work independently while collaborating with the Sales Team and internal partners.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented environment and support process improvements.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Data entry

Analytical skills

MS Office

Trade planning experience

CPG industry experience

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Who We Are

At C.A. Carlin, we take brands to new heights. We are one of the leading privately held sales agencies in the industry. Thanks to nimble growth and associations with our operating partners, C.A. Fortune and C.A. Ferolie, we have built brand value that is unlike any other in the CPG industry.

Who We Are

At C.A. Carlin, we take brands to new heights. We are one of the leading privately held sales agencies in the industry. Thanks to nimble growth and associations with our operating partners, C.A. Fortune and C.A. Ferolie, we have built brand value that is unlike any other in the CPG industry.

What We Do

Since our start in 1962, we have built industry relationships on the foundation of trust and action. We turn information into insight. We convert insight into programs. We drive programs that consistently deliver results to our clients, on their timeline.

We have more than 300 associates and multiple offices throughout the country. We represent top brands in many categories such as confection, snack, grocery, beverage, frozen, dairy etc.

Overview Of The Role

The Trade Planner serves as a key liaison between C.A. Carlin’s Sales Team and select clients’ Trade Finance teams, ensuring customer promotions are entered accurately and in a timely manner.

In This Role, You Will

• Build strong relationships with clients and confidently communicate with client contacts through phone and email.
• Learn and navigate a variety of trade management and deduction management systems to accurately enter and maintain promotional plans for assigned clients.
• Help develop and maintain formal procedures, processes, and timelines for trade planning to ensure C.A. Carlin consistently meets and exceeds client expectations.
• Review customer deductions for accuracy and determine the validity of each deduction.
• Maintain a high level of organization and attention to detail while managing multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities.
• Work independently while collaborating closely with the Sales Team and internal partners.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment and support continuous process improvement.

What You Should Bring To The Table

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence interacting with clients and business partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong data entry and analytical skills with a focus on accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel; experience with Adobe Acrobat is also preferred.
• Previous trade planning experience is preferred.
• Previous CPG industry experience is a plus.
• Experience with deduction management or clearing is preferred.
• Ability to learn new systems, processes, and client requirements quickly.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A resourceful, positive, and solutions-oriented approach to your work.

Position Details

• Location: Schaumburg, IL
• Schedule: Hybrid
• Salary: $53,000–$58,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and skills
• Classification: Non-Exempt

Perks

• PTO and Sick Days
• 11 paid company holidays per year
• 1 Floating Holiday
• 2 paid volunteer days per year
• 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender)
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Paid company life insurance
• 401k with company match
• Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day)
• Work from home flexibility

Come As You Are

C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.