Position Summary
The Manager, Business Management is responsible for managing the day-to-day execution, governance, reporting, and continuous improvement of commodity procurement and financial management processes within Hershey Trading GmbH.
Reporting to the Director, Business Management, the role serves as a critical link between Procurement, Trading, Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Materials Management, Shared Services, and Information Technology to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and efficient execution of commodity-related financial and operational processes.
The Manager leads process governance and operational execution across contract administration, forecasting, reconciliation, reporting, invoice resolution, and system controls while supporting enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. The role is responsible for ensuring business processes operate effectively, issues are identified and resolved timely, and stakeholders have access to accurate and reliable information for decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Business Process Management & Operational Execution
- Manage day-to-day commodity procurement and financial management processes supporting cocoa, edible oils, coconut, and related sourcing activities.
- Ensure accurate execution of business processes across contract management, settlements, invoicing, forecasting, and reporting activities.
- Monitor process performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and controls.
- Coordinate activities across multiple business functions to ensure seamless execution of end-to-end processes.
Forecasting, Reporting & Financial Analytics
- Support governance of commodity forecasts, price standards, purchase price variance reporting, budgeting, and management reporting processes.
- Prepare and validate analyses related to physical contracts, futures positions, percent-priced positions, and commodity spending.
- Maintain reporting packages and management dashboards that provide transparency to financial performance and risks.
- Perform detailed analysis of commodity market exposures, sourcing activities, and financial impacts.
- Support periodic business planning cycles and forecast updates.
Reconciliation, Controls & Data Integrity
- Lead reconciliation activities across contracts, receipts, invoices, settlements, and financial reporting.
- Ensure data consistency and integrity across iRely, S/4, Power BI, and related systems.
- Identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and coordinate corrective actions with process owners.
- Drive closure of issues related to contract-to-invoice mismatches, blocked invoices, GR/IR imbalances, and transactional exceptions.
- Maintain documentation supporting key business controls and audit requirements.
Governance & Audit Support
- Support the Director in maintaining governance frameworks, process documentation, and accountability structures.
- Execute control procedures and monitoring activities designed to improve process compliance and financial accuracy.
- Prepare documentation and evidence supporting internal audits, external audits, and compliance reviews.
- Track remediation plans and ensure corrective actions are completed effectively and sustainably.
- Promote consistent execution of approved policies, standards, and procedures.
Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Act as a business process lead for enhancements involving iRely, SAP S/4HANA, Power BI, and related business systems.
- Translate business requirements into functional needs for technical teams.
- Support implementation of automation, reporting enhancements, and process standardization initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to simplify workflows, eliminate manual activities, and improve process scalability.
- Participate in testing, deployment, and user adoption activities related to system improvements.
Cross-Functional Issue Resolution
- Coordinate stakeholders to resolve operational and financial issues impacting business performance.
- Facilitate root cause analyses and corrective action planning for recurring process issues.
- Escalate significant business risks and control concerns to leadership when appropriate.
- Support enterprise initiatives and transformation projects by providing process expertise and analytical support.
Team Leadership & Capability Development
- Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and support to the Procurement Support Specialist and other process participants.
- Develop process documentation, training materials, and standard operating procedures.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build capability across business partners through training on systems, reporting, processes, and controls.
Decision Rights & Accountability
- Accountable for day-to-day execution, accuracy, and operational effectiveness of business management processes.
- Responsible for timely identification, escalation, and resolution of process and control issues.
- Owns process documentation, reporting accuracy, reconciliation activities, and operational controls within assigned scope.
- Recommends process improvements, system enhancements, and corrective actions to leadership.
- Supports governance and strategic initiatives led by the Director, Business Management.
Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities
- Strong understanding of commodity procurement, pricing, contracting, settlement, and reporting processes.
- Knowledge of futures, derivatives, hedging concepts, and purchase price variance analysis.
- Experience with forecasting, financial analysis, reconciliation, and controls.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail.
- Ability to manage complex issues involving multiple stakeholders and systems.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working in ERP, reporting, and commodity trading environments.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on process optimization and operational excellence.
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Economics, or related field.
- 5-8+ years of experience in commodity finance, procurement, trading support, business management, accounting, financial planning, or related disciplines.
- Experience with forecasting, reconciliation, financial reporting, and process governance.
- Familiarity with commodity trading and procurement environments preferred.
- Experience with SAP S/4HANA, iRely, Power BI, or similar enterprise platforms preferred.
This role is a specialized expert responsible for delivering significant impact on category or functional performance within the procurement organization. The role provides strategic guidance and serves as a trusted advisor by independently resolving complex issues and influencing procurement decisions across and beyond the division. It leads or contributes heavily to high‑impact initiatives that require advanced procurement expertise, judgment, and coordination. The position guides others in applying procurement best practices and drives improvements in sourcing, supplier management, and related procurement processes to support organizational objectives.
1. Lead High-Impact Procurement Workstreams
Leads significant procurement workstreams, programs, or complex projects with measurable business impact. Ensures deliverables align with category strategies, risk governance, and financial objectives. Anticipates issues and applies advanced expertise to guide decisions.
2. Serve as a Trusted Advisor to Stakeholders
Provides expert consultation to cross-functional teams on complex procurement matters. Communicates implications of sourcing decisions clearly to business partners. Influences stakeholders by explaining facts, risks, and trade-offs using advanced procurement knowledge.
3. Drive Supplier Performance and Issue Resolution
Engages with suppliers to address difficult challenges involving quality, service, or contractual execution. Conducts analysis to understand multi-area impacts and recommends solutions requiring limited guidance. Ensures suppliers understand performance expectations and partners on corrective actions.
4. Advance Category Strategy and Insights
Conducts advanced analysis, synthesizes insights, and proposes strategic options to category leaders. Evaluates market dynamics across multiple areas to inform decision-making. Identifies innovative sourcing approaches to improve resiliency, cost, or quality.
5. Lead Improvements in Procurement Practices
Designs and implements process and policy improvements that enhance consistency, compliance, or efficiency. Guides peers on applying updated practices and tools. Ensures enhancements are scalable across teams and aligned with procurement governance.
Provide expert advice and guidance on complex procurement issues, acting as a trusted thought partner
Lead or contribute significantly to procurement projects and programs that impact division results
Analyze and resolve difficult challenges by understanding factors and impacts across multiple areas
Influence and collaborate with stakeholders across divisions to align procurement strategies and practices
Ensure operational targets are met through effective procurement planning and execution
Continuously deepen specialized procurement knowledge and skills to enhance team and organizational capabilities
