Associate Manager (Operational Excellence & Expenses)

Job Description

The Associate Manager (Operational Excellence & Expenses) is responsible for leading vendor expense management, T&E payment processing, project execution, and administrative back-office operations across multiple countries.

This role ensures end-to-end execution, governance, and continuous improvement of operational processes in line with SOPs, SLAs, and local requirements, while driving standardization, automation, and delivery excellence across the HUB.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations & Execution

• Oversee projects and administrative back-office activities in alignment with SOPs and SLAs
• Ensure timely execution of vendor payments and country-level deliverables
• Manage end-to-end T&E payments and advances for FTEs, freelancers, and part-time field associates
• Ensure smooth execution and control of collection services post HUB go-live
• Maintain operational governance and quality across all countries

2. Vendor & Process Management

• Lead a team managing vendor engagement and delivery processes
• Develop deep understanding of:
  • Vendor services, requirements, and exceptions
  • Country-specific processes and timelines
  • T&E processes and payment workflows
• Ensure effective coordination with HUB and delivery teams

3. Stakeholder Management

• Engage with country stakeholders, vendors and internal teams
• Conduct regular governance and engagement local finance teams calls
• Identify pain points and implement simplified, scalable solutions
• Ensure all deliverables meet SLA and timeline commitments

4. Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of back-office and vendor management resources
• Conduct regular performance, engagement, and training sessions
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and high performance
• Drive employee engagement and capability development

5. Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and drive process optimization and automation opportunities
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across operations
• Standardize processes across countries where feasible
• Support transformation initiatives and efficiency programs

6. Risk & Issue Management

• Monitor country-level exceptions, risks, and dependencies
• Stay aware of vendor, T&E, and operational challenges
• Proactively anticipate, escalate, and resolve issues with leadership
• Ensure operational stability and compliance

Role Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred fields: Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Statistics, or related)
• 8+ years of professional experience (preferably in market research/operations)
• Minimum 5 years of people management experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills
• High proficiency in Business English (additional languages are a plus)
• Strong analytical mindset and ability to work with data
• Excellent stakeholder and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-country environment
• Results-driven with continuous improvement focus
• High level of professional maturity and resilience

Technical & Functional Expertise

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools
• Good understanding of operational metrics and performance tracking
• Knowledge of:
  • Field Audit Methodology (preferred)
  • CDAR tools and processes (preferred)
  • Product knowledge (preferred)

Additional Attributes

• Strong business acumen
• High integrity and adherence to company values
• Ability to engage, develop, and grow talent
• Multi-country market knowledge (preferred)
• Technically savvy with a transformation and automation mindset

Success Metrics

• SLA adherence and on-time delivery
• Vendor and stakeholder satisfaction
• Process standardization and efficiency gains
• Team performance and engagement
• Continuous improvement and automation impact

We offer:

• Food vouchers € 62
• Additional Medical Insurance, incl Prophylactics, Outpatient care, Inpatient care, еxpenses for medications and medical products
• Life Insurance
• Multisport card (self-funded by the employee) 
• A Hybrid model of working: 3 days of the week you work from home (home office), 2 days from the office.
• Additional paid leave of 3 days in case of no overdue leave days from previous year
• Free access to LinkedIn Learning platform

In addition: 

• Working in an international organization, once you become a specialist in your field, you can count on numerous programs offering development or relocation to other departments or countries. Your development is important to us!
• Stable employment in a dynamic and international environment with an established position on the market.
• Volunteer time off (Global Volunteer Day) 
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential counselling for emotional well-being 
• Office located close to the city center, easily accessible by public transportation 

All documents will be treated in the strictest confidentiality.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion