Associate Business Manager
The Associate Business Manager (ABM) is a key member of Acosta's dedicated Natural Channel team supporting Unilever's business across leading natural and specialty retailers. This role provides critical support to three Business Managers while serving as the primary administrator for Unilever's Evergreen Trade Promotion Management (TPM) system and supporting deduction management activities across the Natural Channel.
The ABM is responsible for managing trade promotions, maintaining customer and promotional documentation, monitoring trade investments, and assisting with deduction research and resolution. This position works closely with Sales, Finance, Customer Operations, distributors, and retailer partners to ensure accurate execution of customer programs and compliance with Unilever trade management processes.
The role offers broad exposure to customer management, trade planning, financial processes, and strategic business operations, providing a strong development path toward a future Business Manager position.
Key Responsibilities
Evergreen Trade Promotion Management (TPM)
Serve as the primary administrator for Unilever's Evergreen Trade Promotion Management system.
Create, update, validate, and maintain promotional activities, customer agreements, pricing programs, and trade investments.
Ensure promotional plans and customer funding are accurately reflected within Evergreen.
Monitor system accuracy and proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
Upload and maintain required contracts, promotional documentation, and supporting materials.
Support trade spending management by ensuring investments align with approved customer programs and budgets.
Generate and analyze Evergreen reports to support business planning and decision-making.
Maintain organized documentation to support compliance, audit readiness, and internal controls.
Deduction Management
Support deduction tracking, validation, and resolution across Natural Channel customers and distributors.
Research deduction claims and gather supporting documentation as needed.
Partner with Business Managers, customer operations, and finance teams to resolve open deductions in a timely manner.
Maintain detailed records of deduction activity and supporting documentation.
Assist with identifying deduction trends and recommending opportunities to improve processes and reduce future claims.
Business Manager Support
Provide day-to-day support to three Business Managers across multiple customers, distributors, and brands.
Assist with customer planning activities, promotional execution, reporting, and sales analysis.
Support preparation of customer business reviews, internal meetings, and planning presentations.
Coordinate information across internal stakeholders to help ensure timely execution of customer initiatives.
Assist with maintaining customer files, contracts, and business records.
Serve as a key resource for operational support and follow-up on business priorities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Sales, Finance, Customer Operations, Revenue Growth Management, and retailer/distributor contacts.
Support communication and coordination related to trade programs, deductions, and customer requirements.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives that drive efficiency and accuracy across the Natural Channel team.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent business experience.
Experience in sales support, account management, deductions, customer operations, finance, or trade promotion management preferred.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
Experience with TPM systems, trade spending processes, or deduction management is a plus.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills and attention to detail.
Career Development Opportunity
This role is designed as a development position within Acosta's dedicated Unilever Natural Channel team. The Associate Business Manager will gain extensive exposure to customer management, trade planning, financial management, and strategic sales support. Successful performance in this role can provide a clear pathway to advancement into a Business Manager position supporting Unilever's Natural Channel business.
Why This Role Matters
The ABM plays a critical role in ensuring trade investments are managed effectively, deductions are resolved efficiently, and Business Managers have the operational support needed to drive growth across Unilever's Natural Channel business. This position serves as the operational backbone of the team while providing a unique opportunity for professional growth and advancement.
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