Trade Specialist

Acosta; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group is seeking a Trade Specialist to act as a liaison between centralized trade, sales, and shared services. You will manage complex client trade systems, resolve deductions, and ensure alignment of contracts, customer execution, and financial settlement.

The role emphasizes analytical thinking, advanced Excel use, and the ability to drive process improvements across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree preferred in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Supply Chain.
• Equivalent education/experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience with trade management systems and financial reconciliation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME in client trade systems and contract setup.
• Identify discrepancies and assess downstream financial impacts.
• Audit trade events and deductions for compliance with terms.
• Lead reconciliation efforts aligning deductions with client requests.
• Report on KPIs related to open deductions for stakeholders.
• Analyze trends to identify root causes and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with Global Business Services to resolve issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Data interpretation

Effective communication

Independent work

Education

Associate degree preferred

Tools

Trade management systems

Financial reconciliation software

CRM tools

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-thinkining 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.

About Us

Acosta Group is a collective uniting the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies—Acosta, ActionLink, CORE Foodservice, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections. Together, we connect consumers with the brands they love through omnichannel selling, merchandising, brand advocacy, and integrated marketing.

We recognize our associates are the foundation of our success. That’s why we prioritize your growth, development, and well-being to help you reach your full potential. With programs designed to support a fulfilling work-life balance, we offer opportunities that fit your lifestyle and ambitions—whether you’re looking for part-time flexibility or full-time career advancement.

Ready for a career path that’s as unique as you? Discover your path at Acosta Group!

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.

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Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Details

Position Type: Full time

Salary Range: $21.00 - $22.00

Company: Acosta Employee Holdco LLC