Commercial Controller - Trade Spend (MEA)

About the role

Perfetti Van Melle Export Middle East & Africa is hiring a Commercial Controller to manage and control trade spend across the Middle East and Africa region. The role covers customer rebates, promotions, visibility, displays, e-commerce activities and other commercial investments, and works closely with country teams, the marketing team and finance.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with country teams to prepare annual trade spend budgets and estimates, review market assumptions and maintain detailed investment plans.
• Monitor actual spend and open commitments against budget and forecast, flagging risks, variances and overspend.
• Validate customer rebate calculations, claims and debit notes against contracts, sales or IMS performance and supporting documents.
• Review commercial contracts and BDAs, track validity and missing documentation, and ensure payments are backed by signed agreements.
• Audit retailers through regular market and store visits, and prepare and review P&L reporting by retailer.
• Review purchase requisitions and purchase orders for correct classification, GL account, internal order, budget availability and approvals.
• Identify savings by reconciling open commitments with actual activities and claims, and follow up on unnecessary purchase orders.
• Calculate and evaluate the ROI of marketing activities with the marketing team, and ensure compliance with company policies and the "No PO, No Pay" rule.
• Maintain commercial trackers covering trade spend, contracts, claims, savings and open commitments.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field; CPA, CMA or equivalent is advantageous.
• Proven experience managing commercial financial control in a multinational, preferably in FMCG or related sectors.
• Familiarity with trade spend management, rebate accounting and contract governance.
• Strong communication, attention to detail, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Required skills

• ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Advanced Excel, including pivot tables and financial modelling.
• Data analytics tools; knowledge of IMS or similar market data platforms is desirable.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards.
• Continuous learning and development programmes.
• Cross-functional and international team engagement.
• Flexible working arrangements where applicable, wellbeing initiatives and company events.
• Health coverage, retirement plans and other employee support services.