At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage global retail partnerships, oversee budgets, and track performance metrics.
- Company: Join a leading cloud-based software company driving creative innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and automation.
- Why this job: Be the operational backbone of exciting global partnerships and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Sales Operations or similar roles with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Join the Partnership Operations team to manage the operational backbone of client’s global retail partnerships business. This business spans multiple geographies, works with some of our largest global partners, and is supported by a multi-million-dollar budget that drives customer acquisition through the indirect channel.
As the dedicated Sales Operations owner for the Partnerships & Retail business, you will be responsible for forecasting, performance tracking, budget oversight, and the operational cadence of the global retail rebate programme. Working closely with Sales, Finance, FP&A, Global Ops, Partner Ops, and our external Vistex agency, you will ensure the business operates to a consistent set of KPIs, maintains an accurate forecast, and runs a disciplined and timely payment process.
In this global individual contributor role, you will flex your working hours across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC time zones. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
What You’ll Do- Forecasting & Planning
- Own the operational forecast for the retail rebate budget, building scenario-based models (low / mid / high) that incorporate pricing changes, product transitions, partner mix, macroeconomic factors, and historical performance.
- Continuously refine forecasting methodology to improve accuracy (target ±5%) and reduce unplanned variance or executive escalations.
- Translate promotional and commercial plans into multi-quarter financial outlooks, with clearly documented assumptions and defined buffer ranges, working closely with Sales and Finance.
- Lead the operational input into the annual Pricing Action Request (PAR) cycle and in-year amendments, ensuring forecasts, approvals, and governance remain aligned.
- Performance Reporting & Analytics
- Lead the bi-weekly and monthly performance review cadence, preparing standardised reporting packs and highlighting actuals vs forecast, with clear call-outs across key KPIs (Sell-Through NIR, GNARR, Redemption ARR, Cost of Sales).
- Define and maintain a single source of truth performance dashboard, partnering with Data Science and Partner Ops to integrate multiple data sources (e.g., Databricks, SAP, partner sell-through data, and Vistex spend).
- Establish clear escalation thresholds (Green / Amber / Red) and translate variances into actionable insights for leadership.
- Develop deeper partner-, product-, and geography-level analytics to inform commercial and promotional decision-making.
- Operational Process & Governance
- Own the operational cadence across Sales, Finance, APC Ops, and Vistex, ensuring purchase orders, purchase requisitions, accruals, rebate processing, and partner payments are executed accurately and on time each quarter.
- Track purchase order balances against forecasted obligations and Vistex spend, partnering with APC Ops to initiate PO amendments before risks materialise.
- Maintain clear documentation, SOPs, and playbooks to ensure processes are durable, auditable, and not dependent on individuals.
- Identify and drive opportunities for automation and tooling (reporting automation, RPA, AI-assisted analysis) to reduce manual effort and cycle times.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Narrative
- Act as the operational glue across a complex stakeholder ecosystem, including Retail Sales, Finance / FP&A, Revenue Operations, Global Sales Operations, Partner Ops, APC Ops, and Vistex.
- Translate performance, variance, and spend into clear narratives for SVP+ leadership reviews, connecting financial outputs to commercial outcomes (ARR growth, incrementality, partner dynamics).
- Support quarterly executive reviews and QRF submissions with Sales and Finance leadership, ensuring a single, aligned outlook.
- 5+ years’ experience in Sales Operations, Revenue Operations, Channel Operations, or FP&A, ideally within channel, retail, partner, or contra-revenue environments.
- Direct experience owning forecasting, budget management, and performance reporting for a significant budget line or P&L.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to build complex scenario models in Excel and translate outputs into clear business decisions.
- Comfort working with large, imperfect datasets across multiple systems (SAP, Databricks, partner files, finance systems); SQL or equivalent querying experience advantageous.
- Hands-on experience building and maintaining dashboards in Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent tools.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil detailed analysis into concise, executive-ready narratives.
- Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders and external partners without direct authority.
- Confident facilitating recurring business reviews, driving decisions to closure, and holding partners accountable to commitments.
- Self-starter, comfortable defining your own operating model, building playbooks, and working independently.
- Strong programme and project management capability, with a structured, control-oriented approach to planning, ownership, and governance.
- Continuous improvement mindset, with a strong instinct for standardisation, automation, and simplification.
- Prior exposure to subscription / SaaS commercial models and indirect routes to market.
- Familiarity with client’s commercial model, products, and internal systems.
This role is open for a limited time. Next steps will be shared with shortlisted candidates ASAP. Due to the high volume of applicants, we may be unable to reply to each applicant individually. Thank you for taking the time to apply.
A multinational cloud-based software company specialising in a series of products designed to drive creative innovation across multimedia. Used by millions around the world for personal and professional use across all industries.
Aquent is dedicated to improving inclusivity & is proudly an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from under-represented groups & are committed to providing support to applicants with disabilities. We aim to provide reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, to those with a medical condition, disability or neurodivergence.
Sales Operation Manager [210137] employer: Aquent
As a Sales Operations Manager at our multinational cloud-based software company, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. We offer competitive benefits, flexible working hours across global time zones, and ample opportunities for professional growth, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Operation Manager [210137]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Sales Operations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its partners. Understand their business model and how your role fits into their operations. This will help you speak their language and show you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in forecasting, budget management, or performance reporting. This will demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Operation Manager [210137]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in sales operations, forecasting, and budget management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data and performance tracking, be sure to mention any experience you have with analytics tools like Power BI or Tableau. We love candidates who can turn complex data into clear insights, so give us examples of how you've done this before.
Keep It Clear and Concise:When writing your application, aim for clarity. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate well-structured narratives that get straight to the point, especially when it comes to your past experiences and successes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aquent
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Sales Operations Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with forecasting and performance metrics. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in the past. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to build scenario-based models and improve accuracy.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
You'll be translating complex data into narratives for leadership, so practice distilling detailed analysis into concise, executive-ready summaries. Think about how you can connect financial outputs to commercial outcomes, and prepare to share stories that highlight your impact on ARR growth or partner dynamics.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires strong communication and stakeholder management abilities. Be prepared to discuss how you've influenced cross-functional teams without direct authority. Have examples ready that demonstrate your success in facilitating business reviews and driving decisions to closure.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
With a focus on automation and simplification, it's crucial to show your continuous improvement mindset. Think of instances where you've identified opportunities for process enhancements or automation in your previous roles. Be ready to discuss how these initiatives led to reduced manual effort and improved efficiency.
