Customer Development Manager

The Customer Development Team Manager leads operational and budget governance support for promotions, launches, and activation initiatives across the business. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate execution of key financial and system processes, including budget set-up, accrual management, reporting, and issue resolution. The role also works closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive operational excellence, financial control, and smooth execution. This is an ideal opportunity for a commercially aware and highly analytical professional with strong stakeholder management skills and experience in FMCG or a similarly fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

People Management

1. Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team through clear objectives, regular feedback, and structured performance management.

2. Support hiring, onboarding, engagement, and retention initiatives to build team capability and sustain performance.

3. Create an inclusive and collaborative team environment that promotes open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.

4. Ensure clear communication and alignment between leadership, team members, and key stakeholders.

Operational Execution

1. Manage operational support for promotions, product launches, and activation initiatives to ensure timely and effective execution.

2. Oversee budget set-up, tracking, billings, and accrual-related processes with a strong focus on accuracy and control.

3. Monitor and analyze spend performance, providing insights to support sound financial decision-making and budget optimization.

4. Partner with Finance, business teams, and external vendors to resolve budget and billing issues and maintain smooth operational delivery.

5. Maintain accurate and up-to-date dashboards and reports to support visibility, governance, and performance tracking.

6. Act as a key point of contact for operational and financial concerns, escalating issues as needed and ensuring prompt resolution.

Additional Scope

1. Support key financial and system processes related to budget creation, maintenance, and reporting.

2. Coordinate accrual, reconciliation, and post-accrual activities in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

3. Monitor budget performance and address operational issues related to spending, billing, and financial controls.

4. Provide ongoing support to internal teams and external partners to ensure efficient and compliant execution of business initiatives.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline; CPA qualification is an advantage.

2. Proven experience in budget management, financial operations, reporting, or commercial support roles, ideally within FMCG or a similarly fast-paced industry.

3. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.

4. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels.

5. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI or other reporting tools is preferred.

6. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, and deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines.