[Hiring] Trade Spend Manager @Gimme Seaweed

Role Description

As pioneers of the seaweed category, we introduced the world's first line of Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified roasted seaweed snacks in 2012 and have since grown to become the #1 selling, premium, organic seaweed-based snack. We take great pride in creating delicious and convenient snacks inspired by our Korean heritage.

You understand that trade spend is one of the most important and complex levers in a CPG business. You know how deductions, promotions, distributor activity, retailer programs, and accruals impact the P&L, Balance Sheet, and day-to-day operations. You enjoy bringing structure and clarity to that complexity.

You are highly analytical, detail-oriented, and naturally curious. You thrive in a fast-moving, growing environment where processes are still evolving.

What You Do

• Trade Promotion Spend Management
  • Ensure all customer trade promotion chargebacks are valid, authorized deductions that are accurately accounted for by customer, promotion, and general ledger account within the trade promotion management (TPM) system.
  • Partner closely with the Head of Sales Operations to support promotion planning, execution, and accuracy within the TPM system.
  • Serve as the primary relationship manager for the TPM service provider and act as the internal TPM superuser.
  • Set up and maintain customer records, SKUs, promotions, and general ledger mappings within the TPM system.
  • Upload and validate direct customer sales, distributor shipments, and consumption data into the TPM system.
  • Manage automated workflows for incoming customer remittances and chargeback documentation.
  • Enter and maintain non-chargeback accounts payable invoices within the TPM system.
  • Review, validate, and allocate customer chargebacks to the appropriate promotions while driving process scalability through automation, AI, and outsourced operational support.
• Trade Spend Accruals & ERP Integration
  • Prepare monthly trade spend accruals by customer, promotion, and general ledger account by analyzing open promotions, planned spend, and chargeback activity within the TPM system in accordance with company accounting policies and GAAP.
  • Summarize accruals by channel and general ledger account and review findings with the CFO, Controller, and Accounting Manager.
  • Export, validate and reconcile trade promotion spend data from the TPM system for ERP upload and financial reporting and balance sheet accuracy.
  • Partner with Accounting to support accurate month-end close processes through detailed reconciliation and variance analysis.
• Customer Disputes & Deduction Resolution
  • Partner with the TPM service provider to identify, dispute, and resolve invalid customer chargebacks.
  • Collaborate with Operations to dispute logistics fines, shortages, and other operational deductions.
  • Assist Finance with collections and accounts receivable follow-up related to settled disputes.
  • Track deduction trends and root causes to improve recovery rates and reduce future chargebacks.
• Budgeting, Audit & Financial Support
  • Collaborate with the Head of Sales Operations and Financial Planning & Analysis to develop annual and monthly trade spend budgets by customer, promotion, and general ledger account within the TPM system.
  • Support year-end audit requests and provide supporting trade spend documentation as needed.
  • Help maintain strong financial controls, documentation, and audit readiness across trade spend processes.
• Reporting, Insights & Process Improvement
  • Prepare monthly trade spend reporting and variance analysis versus budget and forecast.
  • Provide trade spend data, analysis, and insights to external trade spend consultants.
  • Support Sales leadership with TPM reporting, analysis, and performance insights.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, and Operations to improve the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of trade spend processes.
  • Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and improved reporting capabilities across systems and workflows.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of trade promotion spend, customer deductions, accrual accounting, and retailer/distributor programs within a CPG environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Operations, and external partners.
• Ability to manage large volumes of transactional data while maintaining accuracy and organization.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain financial and operational insights.
• High ownership mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and operating effectively in a fast-paced, evolving business.
• Ability to identify process inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Advanced Excel and data manipulation capabilities; experience working with ERP and TPM systems.
• Interest in leveraging automation, AI, and scalable processes to improve operational efficiency.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• 10+ years of finance and accounting experience, including 5+ years managing trade promotion spend in a CPG food & beverage environment.
• Experience working with trade promotion management (TPM) software.
• Experience working with major food distributors and retailers (e.g., UNFI, KeHE, Amazon, Target).
• Experience identifying and successfully disputing incorrect chargebacks in customer portals.
• Experience with trade spend accrual accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Advanced Excel, data manipulation skills.
• Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and lift or move items up to 15 pounds.
• This position is primarily a remote position with occasional travel to headquarters located in San Rafael, CA; Bay Area candidates preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

• This full-time role will receive a competitive salary + benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401k, and equity.
• This position's anticipated annual pay range is $120,000 - $130,000 plus bonus and equity.
• We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.