assistant manager – commercial finance

Job Title: Assistant Manager – Commercial Finance (Modern Trade and Ecommerce)

Location: Mumbai

Number of Openings: 01

Salary Range: 12 LPA to 16 LPA

Reporting To: Business Finance Lead

Role Overview:

The Assistant Manager – Commercial Finance (Modern Trade and Ecommerce) will play a critical role in managing financial operations, ensuring profitability, and optimizing financial processes within the modern trade and ecommerce business channels. The ideal candidate will be responsible for financial planning, forecasting, receivables management, reconciliation, and commercial decision-making to enhance overall financial efficiency. This position demands a strong analytical mindset, proficiency in financial tools, and a deep understanding of FMCG, ecommerce retail, or D2C industries.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning & Forecasting:

Contribute to the preparation of financial forecasts and monthly reports for ecommerce and modern trade channels.
Analyze sales trends and financial performance to identify profitability improvement opportunities.
Work closely with the business finance lead to assess the financial impact on promotions and customer deals.

Receivables & Account Reconciliation:

Monitor receivables aging and ensure timely collections from e-commerce and modern trade customers.
Regularly reconcile customer accounts, ensuring all transactions, payments, and credits are accurately recorded.
Collaborate with channel partners to resolve discrepancies and maintain strong financial reporting.

BTL Provision & Cost Management:

Oversee the BTL provision booking process, ensuring alignment with monthly financial plans.
Track and report BTL expenditures, providing analysis of spend effectiveness versus budget.
Identify cost-saving opportunities within ecommerce and modern trade channels.

Revenue & Margin Analysis:

Validate revenue-related transactions, including discounts, rebates, and promotional activities.
Support tracking of margins, profitability, and financial efficiency within assigned business channels.
Generate ad hoc financial reports and conduct financial analyses as needed.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Educational Qualification: Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA)
Experience: 1 to 3 years of experience, preferably in commercial finance, category finance, or FP&A.
Industry Preference: FMCG, Ecommerce Retail, D2C.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in SAP, analytics platforms, and advanced Excel skills.
Behavioral Traits: Proactive, self-motivated, strong business acumen, problem-solving ability, and adaptable to changing business needs.

Skill-Based Screening Questions & Ideal Answers:

How do you ensure accurate reconciliation of customer accounts in modern trade and ecommerce finance?

Expected Answer: I regularly monitor and reconcile customer transactions, ensuring all payments, credits, and invoices are properly accounted for. I also collaborate with internal teams and partners to resolve any discrepancies promptly.

Can you describe a time when you identified a cost-saving opportunity in commercial finance?

Expected Answer: In my previous role, I identified inefficiencies in promotional spending and adjusted our budgeting model, resulting in a 10% cost reduction without impacting sales performance.

What strategies do you use to manage receivables aging and ensure timely collections?

Expected Answer: I implement proactive follow-ups, structured payment schedules, and incentive programs to ensure timely collections. I also analyze debtor aging reports to address potential delays in advance.

How proficient are you in using SAP and analytics platforms for financial reporting?

Expected Answer: I have hands-on experience in SAP for financial transactions and reconciliation. Additionally, I leverage analytics tools to generate insights and drive data-driven decision-making.

How would you assess the financial impact of a promotional initiative in modern trade?

Expected Answer: I would analyze historical sales data, evaluate ROI on past promotions, and use financial modeling to predict the impact. Additionally, I would collaborate with the sales team to align promotional efforts with profitability goals.