Channel Distribution Order Operations Specialist

Your Career

This role is essential in ensuring the smooth and efficient flow of products through our Channel Distributors by managing daily operational tasks and acting as a key point of contact for transactional activities. The Channel Distribution Order Operations Specialist will primarily focus on processing orders managing inventory data reconciling discrepancies and coordinating efforts to support our Distributors and optimize fulfillment processes within our high-tech environment. This position plays a critical part in supporting Revenue Accounting by ensuring accuracy in Inventory Management facilitating precise POS reconciliation and managing True-up Credits. Close collaboration with Channel Management is essential to achieve our operational efficiency and revenue goals.

Your Impact

I. Distributor Order Processing & Backlog Management

• Process Channel Stocking Replenishment (Sell-in) Orders from assigned Distributor accounts promptly and accurately.
• Manage order backlog and confirm stocking order commit dates directly with Distributors providing clear communication on order status.
• Report account concerns related to order processing or fulfillment to Channel or Fulfillment Operations Management as needed.

II. Collaborative Planning Forecasting & Replenishment (CPFR) Support

• Plan and conduct Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) calls with Channel Distributors contributing to data collection and discussion.
• Review and align with Distributors on channel inventory and Weeks of Supply (WOS) ensuring alignment with projected sell-through targets.
• Identify basic gaps in demand and supply plans within the distribution channel and escalate findings to the appropriate teams.
• Track Ship-from-Stock trends to monitor Distributor inventory health and order fulfillment efficiency.
• Support Channel Program Management with data input for planning and forecasting activities.

III. Point of Sale (POS) Processing & Reconciliation

• Manage the receipt and processing of POS files received from assigned Distributor accounts critical for accurate revenue recognition.
• Reconcile and troubleshoot POS data issues including discrepancies in Serial Numbers Quote IDs or Claim amounts directly impacting financial accuracy.
• Communicate POS discrepancies to Distributors for timely resolution and correction.
• Reload error or rejected POS findings into SAP to ensure accurate system records for revenue reporting.
• Collaborate closely with finance to resolve reconciliation file issues related to POS data ensuring data integrity for revenue accounting.
• Perform weekly reconciliation of POS data versus Sell-Through orders ensuring alignment between Distributor Sell-through reports SAP (POS records) and SFDC (Closed and Negative Opportunity data) which is fundamental for true-up calculations and auditability.
• Maintain organized POS folders for assigned accounts ensuring easy access to historical data for financial audits.

IV. Distributor Inventory & Credit Memo Reconciliation

• Track the timely receipt and accuracy of Distributor-reported On-Hand (OH) inventory data which is vital for accurate inventory management and financial reporting.
• Reconcile Distributor-reported inventory with internal system-calculated inventory figures investigating and reporting variances to ensure correct financial valuation of channel inventory.
• Resolve POS discrepancies directly related to credit memo processes ensuring accurate adjustments for revenue accounting.
• Validate credit memos with accounts and make corrections as needed before submission to ensure proper financial adjustments.
• Submit reconciled credit memos to finance and sales for finalization/approvals directly supporting revenue adjustments and true-up processes.
• Trigger Credit Memos in SAP for Distributors once approved ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions.
• Track and maintain monthly approved credits in respective folders for audit and reference crucial for revenue reconciliation and audit trails.
• Work with finance on reconciliation file issues pertaining to inventory adjustments and credit memos contributing to overall financial accuracy.

V. Operational Support & Process Improvement

• You will be responsible for streamlining and improving process and data management efficiency in Channel Distribution operations by leveraging AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) where applicable. This includes optimizing daily tasks assisting with data summarization and improving communication methods.
• Serve as a key operational contact for routine inquiries and escalations from assigned Channel Distributors routing requests to appropriate internal teams (e.g. sales support operations).
• Ensure all Distributor order processing and reporting adheres to established program terms and conditions.
• Align overall operational activity with SOX compliance.
• Generate standard reports on order progress transactional volume and basic Distributor operational performance metrics.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of our order operations processes and tools by providing feedback and assisting with implementation.

Qualifications :

Your Experience 

• Bachelors degree in Business Supply Chain Management Operations a related field or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in a support coordination or operational role within the high-tech industry (e.g. software hardware cloud services networking cybersecurity) with direct exposure to order management distribution or supply chain.
• Strong understanding of Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) principles and practical experience participating in CPFR processes ideally within a distribution or supply chain context.
• Demonstrated experience with high-volume transactional data processing reconciliation and working with large datasets (e.g. POS inventory reports) with a strong focus on data accuracy for financial reporting.
• Proficiency in common business software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite Google Workspace) with advanced Excel skills for data manipulation and analysis particularly for reconciliation tasks.
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP for order processing data entry and financial transaction triggering is highly desirable.
• Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) is a plus.
• Demonstrated practical experience with AI tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) for business applications (e.g. automating tasks data summarization generating reports improving communication efficiency).
• Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and adhere to strict deadlines especially vital for financial data integrity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional and helpful demeanor for interacting with both internal teams and external Distributors as well as finance and accounting departments.
• Infrequent travel of about 5% may be required for periodic meetings with Distribution Partners.

Additional Information :

The Team

The Channel Distribution Order Operations team serves as a strategic function within our Worldwide Operations Group acting as an extension of our Worldwide Order Operations team. This team engages in direct collaboration with our Planning Order Operations Fulfillment and Logistics functions to ensure a seamless and efficient supply chain. As a Channel Distribution Order Operations Specialist youll take on a critical role in ensuring our global channel partners possess the correct inventory in appropriate quantities and locations to satisfy the requirements of our shared customers.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications experience and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $10400 - $156000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

Were problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecuritys status quo. Its simple: we cant accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need please contact us at  .

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age ancestry color family or medical care leave gender identity or expression genetic information marital status medical condition national origin physical or mental disability political affiliation protected veteran status race religion sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time