Deductions Analyst Petaluma, CA at Straus Family Creamery – Petaluma, California
Explore Related Opportunities
About This Position
POSITION OVERVIEW: We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized Deductions Analyst to join our finance team at a leading organic dairy manufacturing company. The Deductions Analyst main area of responsibility will be researching, validating, and resolving customer deductions and chargebacks, ensuring alignment with company policies and accurate financial reporting. In this role, you will work extensively with Floret, our trade spend management software, to track and validate trade promotions, investigate discrepancies, and partner with both internal teams and Floret support to resolve invalid deductions efficiently.
JOB OBJECTIVE: The Deductions Analyst plays a key role in the financial health of the company by ensuring the accurate resolution of customer deductions and chargebacks. This role is focused on protecting revenue and optimizing cash flow by validating deduction claims, identifying invalid deductions, and driving efficient resolution. By leveraging our systems and collaborating with cross-functional teams, the Deductions Analyst will ensure that customer claims align with approved trade agreements and that disputes are addressed promptly and accurately.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Analyze and resolve customer deductions related to trade promotions, pricing discrepancies, shortages, damages, and freight issues using Floret.
- Validate the legitimacy of deductions by coordinating with sales, trade marketing, logistics, and customer service teams.
- Utilize Floret to document, monitor, and prioritize deduction claims, ensuring timely resolution and recovery of invalid claims.
- Engage with key retail, food service, and distributor partners to clarify and resolve disputes.
- Reconcile accounts and apply appropriate credits or chargebacks as necessary.
- Prepare and present deduction trend analyses and financial impact reports to leadership.
- Identify process inefficiencies and support initiatives to streamline deduction handling and improve working capital.
- Support month-end close activities and internal/external audits with thorough documentation and analysis.
- Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis to support Finance and Sales leadership.
- Assist with other areas of Operational Accounting, as needed.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & KNOWLEDGE
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in deductions management, accounts receivable, or a similar role within the manufacturing industry.
- Experience in the dairy or food manufacturing industry is preferred.
- Experience working with large distributors (e.g., UNFI and KeHE) and understanding of their deduction processes is preferred.
- Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Excel (V-Lookups, Tables, Formulas, Pivot Tables).
- Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Business Central) is a plus.
- Trade spend management system and/or Floret experience beneficial.
- Proven successful experience with high volume deduction management preferred.
COMPETENCIES
- Strong team player who can work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing market conditions and customer needs.
- Strong ability to analyze data, identify trends, and resolve discrepancies.
- Meticulous in maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with customers and internal teams.
- Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Organized and process-oriented, uses a systems approach to create structure and efficiencies.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work on a computer and to remain seated for extended periods while working on a computer.
- Occasional periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, turning the head and torso, reaching, grasping, bending,
- Ability to use hands, fingers, and wrists for keyboarding and data entry and document preparation. Repetitive at times.
- Ability to communicate via speech, writing and hearing with vendors, team members, and regulatory agencies or other members of the business community.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for reading documents and computer screens.
- The ability to climb stairs and balance is essential.
- Ability to lift, hold and/or carry 25 pounds, unassisted.
WORK LOCATION
- This position is based in Petaluma, CA. Days worked are typically Monday through Friday; 8:30am to 5pm.
- Flexibility to work different shifts when required, to be on call after hours, and to work weekends and all holidays is required.
- This role is not eligible for remote work. Remote candidates will not be considered for this role.
- Ability to travel to different work locations and meeting sites, up to 10% of time – varies with business need.
Above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.
Straus is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Straus Family Creamery, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.