Sr. Sales Planning Manager at Zausner Foods Corporation – New Holland, Pennsylvania

Summary/Objective

This role will be supporting the development and execution of Savencia USA sales strategies with key customer partners in the US. Will have responsibilities towards the development of Trade strategy, guidance, and deployment within Savencia USA. Support the VP of Sales in the coordination, communication, and execution of the annual Sales Planning process. This role, working closely with cross-functional partners, will develop promotional, price, shelving, merchandising programs and implement them with accounts. This role also will be a key contributor to the S&OP/IBP Process, integrating updates to customer assumptions related to promotion, price, shelving and distribution.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Serve as a key member/liaison of the Retail Sales team, supporting strategic decisions focused on merchandising, assortment optimization, placement, pricing, and promotional initiatives.
• Key contributor in driving the Demand Review process within the overall S&OP/IBP process, gathering and updating inputs from sales, assisting with model updates, and standardizing process to gather inputs such as promotional calendars, customer reset tracking, and R&O tracking.
• Administrator within the trade promotion system, including event approvals, system maintenance, instilling best-in-class process within planning, and assist in the development of a trade systems guide.
• Support the execution of our trade strategy including trade reporting, event ROI analysis, and trade forecasting. Provides guidance and direction to the sales team to ensure trade dollars are driving performance aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
• Drive the annual planning process with Sales through best-in-class process and driving the planning process within the trade promotion system.
• Work closely with marketing and sales on shopper marketing execution and tracking of shopper marketing plans.
• Analyzes current base pricing conditions to ensure optimal price at shelf.
• Stay updated on market trends, competitor strategies, and industry best practices to inform and refine category strategies.
• Serves as liaison between Marketing and Retail Sales as well as with other cross functional departments in the execution of key Savencia Cheese USA initiatives.

Travel

This position requires up to 15% travel. Frequently travel is outside the local area and overnight.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years trade/customer marketing experience in consumer-packaged goods sales organization.
• 3+ years of experience within category management, commercial finance, and/or direct customer sales.
• Solid understanding of Customer Management Process.
• Strong understanding of Food, Club and Mass Channels.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Strong knowledge of syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI).
• Promotional planning/analysis experience.
• Ability to perform ROI analysis to create best practice strategies.
• Self-motivated, confident, energetic, and creative.
• Strong administrative skills (multitask preference and highly organized).