Job Information
Barilla Trade Marketing & Sales - Deduction Specialist Lead in Toronto, Canada
The Deduction Specialist Lead is a key role in managing and overseeing the deductions team ensuring the smooth flow of financial operations, minimizing revenue leakage, mitigation of risks and maintaining strong customer relationships. It requires a combination of leadership, problem-solving, and technical skills to effectively manage the team, develop and maintain “best-in-class” deduction management processes. This position has two Deduction Specialist direct reports.
Team Leadership & Management: • Lead the team of deduction specialists, providing coaching and mentoring for team members, ensuring high productivity and quality standards. • Set team goals and KPIs to drive performance and efficiency. • Ensure the team maintains a high level of collaboration and effective communication both externally and internally (e.g., customer AR team, sales, customer service, trade team).
Deduction Management & Resolution: • Collaborate with sales, customer service, and trade team to understand contract terms, sales agreements, and any customer-specific deductions. • Investigate customer deductions and discrepancies, including pricing issues, promotional allowances, chargebacks, markdowns and reclamation charges. Ensure adequate documentation is received to validate or dispute deductions. • Oversee the investigation and resolution of customer deductions related to billing, payments, or contracts and post audits. • Identify deduction issues, identify root causes, and work on corrective actions to minimize future occurrences. • Ensure timely and accurate processing of deductions for financial accuracy and tradespend estimations.
Process Improvement: • Review existing deduction management processes and identify opportunities for improvements or automation to reduce inefficiencies. • Work with cross-functional teams (e.g., sales, customer service, trade marketing) to resolve systemic issues that lead to deductions. • Implement and enforce best practices for deduction management.
Reporting & Analytics: • Maintain detailed records of deduction, disputes, resolutions, and communications. Prepare and present regular reports on deduction trends, volumes, and key performance metrics. • Analyze deduction data to identify recurring issues and assist in the development of strategies to mitigate. • Use data to forecast future deduction trends and proactively address potential challenges.
Customer Relationship Management: • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders – both internal and external. • Maintain clear and professional communication with customers regarding the status and resolution of their deductions, ensuring timely follow-ups and dispute closures.
Compliance and Risk Management: • Ensure that deduction processes comply with company policies and external regulations. • Mitigate the risk of financial losses through proper documentation and ensure audit and governance compliance.
Additional Information (include minimum education level, experience, competencies, equipment used, licenses, etc. in this area) • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent work experience). • 3+ years of experience in Accounts Receivable and Deduction Management, ideally in a CPG company. • Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.). • Strong analytical skills with attention to detail. • Familiarity with customer deduction portals.
Key Challenges: • Customer Relationship: Establishing key customer contacts and working relationships. • Process Complexity: Handling the variety of deductions (e.g., short payments, chargebacks, rebates) and ensuring compliance and accuracy. • Dispute Resolution: Managing disputes in a timely fashion.
Barilla Grade: [[BarillaGrade]]