Operations Manager, Strategic Accounts

Operations Manager, Strategic Accounts (L5)

Location – Stamford, CT / New York City

ABOUT DIAGEO

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Every day, over 30,000 talented people come together at Diageo to create the magic behind our much-loved brands.  Join us and you’ll collaborate, explore, and innovate. Challenge and be challenged. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll build brands consumers love.

We value each other and celebrate different perspectives. In our inclusive culture, you’ll have the backing you need to test new ideas and learn from them. Harness your passion and desire to grow as you make your mark. Let’s unlock a brighter, more exciting future together. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Operations Manager, Strategic Accounts will provide crucial central support to the Strategic Accounts Leadership and Customer teams.  They will act as a key link between our supply organization, customer teams, and broader functions to ensure seamless communication and project management. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional stakeholder management skills who can navigate effortlessly between Supply, Project Teams, Finance, Brand and additional central functions. In addition to providing ongoing support for the customer teams, the Operations Manager will be instrumental in leading our VAP planning process, our Tray Pack agenda and vendor connectivity, and taking an active role in supporting our Military business. This person will also partner closely with Advanced Analytics to lead our new TRAX agenda.

Role and Responsibilities

• VAP Forecasting & Performance Tracking: Own the VAP forecasting process, including delivering insight-driven forecast, communicating and aligning the forecast with the local markets, and monitoring execution and performance.
• Customer Authorizations: Track customer authorizations against new and expanded distribution and own monthly communication to Performance Management, Business Development, Brand, and Customer Marketing.
• Inventory and OOS Communication: Lead Inventory and out-of-stock Communication for the team, coordinating mitigation solutions with the SA Leadership team, Supply and Local Market teams. Quantify the impact of out-of-stocks on sales for key customers and SKUs.
• Tray Pack Project Management: Lead end-to-end management of club channel tray pack projects, including budgeting and third-party vendor management. Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. Collaborate with project teams to define project goals, deliverables, and timelines. Own Tray Pack forecast for club channel
• Military Business Support: Take an active role in supporting our Military business, addressing unique operational needs and opportunities within this channel.
• Reporting: Enhance Qlik Reporting for visibility across tiers and conduct root cause analysis. Develop and maintain new and discontinued POD reporting by customer and SKU. Oversee all reporting for VAP. Work closely with Advanced Analytics to lead TRAX agenda for the team.
• Customer Initiatives: Work with internal teams to drive customer initiatives (e.g anti-theft solution, OOS reduction). Lead strategy, concept, and development for all ad-hoc pack requests
• Budget Management: Manage the VAP and Tray Pack budgets for Strategic Accounts.
• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with the Commercial Director on ad-hoc projects, and strategic initiatives for the broader Strategic Accounts team.
• Central Coordination & Communication: Streamline tools, resources, and communications among customer teams and act as a liaison for process and supply queries. Lead all customer communication for