Manager, Trade Sales Planning

Company Description

The Trade Sales Planning Manager will be responsible for the trade sales demand plan process and forecast accuracy for Red Bull North America. This role will collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations and Finance to define, implement, and manage the company forecast planning process at a National Banner and SKU level. Accurate demand plans have become more important with our integrated planning process between sales and operations and are essential at a SKU level, as the number of SKUs has grown to over 100 on an annual basis. This role will present regularly to RBNA sales leadership teams and provide recommendations for the short-term and long-term trade sales forecast direction at a sales banner, channel and SKU portfolio level.

This role will also be an integral part of the RBNA CPM data integrity, supporting the Trade Sales volume builds completed by sales teams and how they flow into the for formal IBP, FRE/SRE and BP submissions. They will be responsible to develop tools to help in the CPM input process.

Success in this role will ensure that we have the right product, in the right place, at the right time.

Job Description

DELIVER NATIONAL SALES FORECAST (OFF PREMISE SMALL FORMAT/ LARGE FORMAT) 

Provide expertise forecasting in collaboration with the NAMs and Sales Directors through insights, tools, and resources

Manage bottom-up build of forecasts from the sales teams while applying independent sales forecast knowledge, drivers and statistical models

Responsible for the Trade Sales volume planning process and collection across the small format channel of business including volume analysis, forecast process/accuracy and simulations during the monthly planning cycles

Influence NAMs and Sales Directors through data-driven insights and forward-looking recommendations, enabling informed decisions that improve volume forecast accuracy and ensure trade spend remains aligned to volume assumptions

Facilitate training for forecast process and new tool roll outs

DELIVER ACCURATE SKU LEVEL PROJECTIONS

Collaborate with sales, marketing, and financial controlling to understand demand forecast drivers - by SKU and outlet type for both existing and new products

Develop SKU level performance reporting by integrating consumer scan sales, trade sales and inventory quantities to evaluate current projections and flag risk or opportunities for the small format channel

Design and maintain scalable processes, systems, and reporting solutions that address the complexities of SKU-level forecasting by automating inputs and simplifying workflows, maximizing accuracy and enabling teams to focus on high-impact exceptions and changes in SKU mix

Responsible for trade sales volume build for NPI and LTOs at a customer level, utilizing distribution targets, sales strategies, and operations timelines/thresholds

Responsible for analyzing and actioning SKU level performance for total channel, by banner and advising on plan adjustments to ensure procurement quantities are accurate for future projections

Responsible for new launches and existing SKU performance evaluations to ensure procured product will be available based on customer/regional performance

Responsible for out-of-market projection development for delisted SKUs and LTOs based on consumer scan sales and Trade Sales

ENSURE CROSS FUNCTIONAL ALIGNMENT WITH EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Create, develop, and deliver regular forecasting reviews with all stakeholders including executive leadership team, Finance, and Operations

Advise SVP of Small Format on demand planning recommendations - both short-term and long-term at a customer level

Collaborate and support Sales team to Improve sales forecast accuracy at SKU and account level

Collaborate with HQ on future enhancements to CPM for Trade Sales forecasting and analysis

Lead Innovation/LTO distributor allocation with NAMs/Sales Directors and Operations to ensure distributors have the right amount of product to supplement customer programming/successful innovation/LTO launch.

Influence stakeholders through clear communication and data driven recommendations
 

EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE RED BULL TOOLS 

Ensure volume inputs by SKU, by month align with Sales Team projections and current trends

Be an expert in working with large and small data sets from different internal and external sources (Sales, Finance, Operations, Distribution Data Sources)

Understand connection of all internal Red Bull tools and processes to better determine impact to S&OP planning process and key submissions throughout the year

Work together with reporting team to develop, implement, and enhance tools to facilitate the forecasting/planning process