Job Title: Associate Manager, Sales Planning & Operations

Reports to: Manager, Sales Strategy

Dotted Line to: No

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Key Internal Partners: Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance

Key External Partners:

Project Management: No

Location: New York

Date Updated: 07/01/2023

Job Summary:

The Sales Planning & Operations Associate Manager is responsible for driving sales effectiveness, optimizing operations, and ensuring seamless execution of sales strategies. This position will play a crucial role in delivering results through timely cross-functional communications, efficient process development, and superior attention to detail. The span of responsibility will include project management, development of selling materials, Sales' asset management and forecasting for all classes of trade within the US defined market. As part of this responsibility, the Sales Planning and Operations Associate Manager will work cross-functionally to ensure seamless coordination and alignment between Sales, Brand, Demand Planning, and Finance, optimizing overall business operations and maintaining customer-centricity.

Job Responsibilities & Tasks:

* Process Standardization and Execution:

o Aggregate and maintain customer-specific details, including promotional calendars, distribution grids, and key dates or timelines to enable effective planning and seamless information sharing

o Develop and maintain trackers and distribute field sales surveys to represent the voice of the customer for commercial projects

o Coordinate customer-specific pack requirements, including point-of-sale materials (POS) and in-store merchandising (ISM)

* S&OP Collaboration:

o Analyze data and provide insights on monthly customer demand calls to continuously improve forecast accuracy

o Share best practices in sales forecasting to ensure productive alignment with demand planning

o Collect details regarding customer specific initiatives, risks and opportunities

* Commercial Operations:

o Monitor to ensure partner adherence to commercial policies and address concerns on a case-by-case basis

o Partner with field sales and cross-functional partners to ensure resolution of considerations impacting cash flow - pricing discrepancies, aged and invalid deductions, etc.

* Field Sales Communications and Selling Materials:

o Own and maintain the field sales communications strategy, ensuring timely and effective information sharing and collaboration within the sales team.

o Take ownership of the sales enablement SharePoint platform, maintaining organization and accessibility of sales-related documents and resources.

o Create and distribute sell sheets and manage customer item detail information using platforms like 1WorldSync, ensuring accuracy and timeliness

o Handle sales sample requests and coordinate the availability and distribution to customer teams

o Coordinate with Marketing to ensure availability and usefulness of digital assets

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Communication & Knowledge-Sharing

Effective & Efficient Sales Operations Processes

Timely delivery of Sales Assets

Forecast Accuracy

Sales Team Support

Position Requirements:

EDUCATION

* Bachelor's degree in business administration or equivalent required.

EXPERIENCE

* 2-5 years of Consumer Goods experience with focus on Sales Planning, Sales Operations, Sales Strategy, or Field Sales is preferable

* Experience forecasting in a consumer goods retail environment, process creation and improvement, and working in a fast-paced environment

* Experience using and interpreting syndicated data (IRI/Nielsen) and financial data

SKILLS

* Strong project management skills and attention to detail

* Ability to independently create and manipulate data in MS Excel spreadsheets

* Ability to independently create presentations in MS PowerPoint

* Demonstrated sales and/or analytical experience managing multiple priorities required

* Strong collaboration and personal interaction skills

* Creative problem solving

* Strong organizational skills

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

PHYSICAL & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

* Must be able work in standard office conditions

* Must be able to work a minimum of 8 hours per day

TOTAL REWARDS

$85,000 -$95,000 Annually

10% bonus potential

20 days PTO

4% match on 410k

Health care by Cigna

Free Vision & Dental