Sr. Manager, Sales Strategy Grocery and Specialty

Job Location: ​Chicago​

Want to make an impact?

The Sr. Manager, Sales Strategy Grocery /Specialty, is a critical driver of customer and brand success, serving as a strategic liaison between internal teams and external Grocery and Specialty customers. This role blends strategic thinking, data-driven insights, and collaborative leadership to deliver commercial excellence and ensure alignment with organizational goals. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and possess the ability to manage multiple priorities while fostering strong cross-functional relationships.

Ways you will make a difference

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Lead and collaborate with internal cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Finance, Revenue Management, Category Management, Sales Planning, and Commercialization, to execute brand and customer initiatives effectively.
• Act as the "Voice of Sales" in strategic Marketing discussions, ensuring customer needs and sales perspectives are represented.
• Build and maintain robust relationships with customer teams, understanding their needs and providing ongoing support to ensure sell-in success and optimal performance.

Customer & Channel Strategy Development

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of brands, channels, and customers through SWOT analyses, customer strategies, consumer targets, and competitive landscapes.
• Create and execute tailored channel strategies and customer plans that align with national brand initiatives while addressing local market dynamics.
• Translate national shopper marketing campaigns into customer-specific programs that drive engagement and sales growth.

Big Bet & Innovation Execution

• Support the sell-in of major growth initiatives, including Big Bets and innovation launches, by creating tailored channel and customer strategies.
• Track and follow up on Big Bet and innovation performance, ensuring consistent communication and execution.
• Lead innovation launch sizing through bottoms-up builds, aligning with customer-specific opportunities.

Customer/Channel Planning & Program Management

• Drive channel and customer segmentation strategies, ensuring resources are allocated effectively for maximum impact.
• Lead trade promotional planning and provide strategic input to optimize trade spend.
• Serve as the key field sales contact, representing customer and sales insights at the headquarters level.
• Prepare for critical customer meetings, including T2T (Top-to-Top), JBP (Joint Business Planning), Innovation Summits, and Line Reviews, to ensure alignment and successful outcomes.

Forecasting & In-Year Strategy Adjustment

• Provide input into in-year forecasts (PDR support) and trade strategy, ensuring alignment with customer-level insights.
• Collaborate with Finance to develop customer-specific P&L models and support IFR processes.
• Monitor sales risk and opportunities (R&O) at the customer level, making short-term adjustments to optimize outcomes.

Special Projects & Market Insights

• Manage special projects related to strategic customer initiatives and merchandise programs.
• Leverage local market insights and consumer data to refine strategies and develop customer-specific programs.
• Lead commercialization efforts for customer-specific products, ensuring timely and successful market launches.

Performance Tracking & Evaluation

• Track and analyze performance against channel and customer KPIs, providing actionable recommendations to improve results.
• Monitor display mix and set targets by customer/channel to maximize execution and ROI.
   

Skills that will make you successful

• Strategic Thinking
• Customer-Centric Approach
• Data-Driven Decision-Making
• Agility and Adaptability
• Strong Collaboration and Influencing Skills
   

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Sales Strategy, Trade Marketing, or related roles within the CPG industry.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data into actionable strategies.
• Proven leadership in cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a strong aptitude for relationship building.
   

What We Offer

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