Trade Specialist

Acosta, Inc.; Florida; On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group is seeking a Trade Specialist to serve as a liaison between the centralized trade organization, client-facing sales teams, and internal shared services. The role handles contract details, rates, and product information, driving reconciliation and accurate settlements across Grocery, Natural, and Small Format channels.

Ideal candidates will have strong Excel skills, analytical abilities, and the capacity to work independently while communicating effectively with cross-functional

Qualifications

• Experience with trade management systems or financial reconciliation.
• CPG or consumer business background preferred.
• Ability to interpret contracts, rates, dates, and product details.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert in client trade systems with accurate setup and maintenance.
• Perform detailed contract and system comparisons to identify discrepancies.
• Audit customer trade events and deductions for contract compliance.
• Lead reconciliation efforts aligning deduction timing and internal balance.
• Own KPIs related to open deductions and provide reporting to Sales, Clients, and Global Business Services.
• Analyze trends to identify root causes and propose improvements.
• Partner with Global Business Services to resolve issues and refine SOPs.
• Facilitate cross-functional operating cadences for transparency and issue resolution.
• Escalate complex trade and deduction inquiries with sound judgment.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Associate degree preferred

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

DESCRIPTION

The Trade Specialist serves as a critical liaison between the centralized trade organization, client-facing sales teams, and internal shared services. This role provides analytical, systems, and reconciliation expertise to support trade investment accuracy and effectiveness across Grocery, Natural, and Small Format channels. The Trade Specialist independently manages complex client systems, drives exception resolution, and ensures alignment between contractual agreements, customer execution, and financial settlement processes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a subject matter expert in client trade systems, ensuring accurate setup, maintenance, and interpretation of contracts, rates, dates, and product details.
• Perform detailed contract and system comparisons to proactively identify discrepancies, risks, and downstream financial impacts.
• Audit customer trade events and deductions at a predefined depth to validate compliance with contract terms and trade policies.
• Lead timely and accurate reconciliation efforts by aligning customer deduction timing, client requests, and internal balance management.
• Own key performance indicators related to open deductions, providing routine and ad hoc reporting to Sales, Clients, and Global Business Services.
• Analyze trends in trade discrepancies and deduction activity to identify root causes and recommend process improvements.
• Partner closely with Global Business Services to resolve issues, provide customer documentation, and refine Standard Operating Procedures.
• Facilitate recurring cross‑functional operating cadences (daily, weekly, monthly) to ensure transparency, alignment, and issue resolution.
• Act as a trusted point of escalation for complex trade and deduction inquiries, exercising sound judgment and commercial acumen

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree preferred; concentration in Business, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, or 3-5 years related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrated experience working with trade management systems, financial reconciliation, or customer accounts within a CPG or consumer business environment preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (data analysis, reconciliation, reporting).
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking capabilities with the ability to interpret complex data and draw actionable conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound business judgment, prioritize competing demands, and work independently.
• Proven problem‑solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex trade concepts to cross‑functional partners.

Physical Requirements

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds).
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk‑based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.

ABOUT US

Acosta is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey.

Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world.

But it’s not just about what we do – it’s about who we are. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we’re a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. And, we understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide our associates with flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners and their customers.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] . Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

The Acosta Group utilizes E-Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. If you want more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E-Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e-verify.gov)

Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Category: Sales Support

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Sales

Salary Range: $21.25 - $21.25

Company: Acosta Employee Holdco LLC