Senior Manager, Sales Planning

Job DescriptionChampion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Senior Manager, Sales Planning to join our rapidly growing company.Champion Petfoods is an award‑winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.This role will be working out of our Louisville (CO), Nashville (TN) or New York City (NY) office and work on a hybrid schedule with 3 days in person.ResponsibilitiesCommercial Planning (Strategy & Targets)Translate business strategy into revenue, volume, and distribution targetsDefine channel and customer prioritiesDevelop growth plans ("where to play / how to win")Support Annual Operating Plan (AOP) development and forecasting alignment with leadershipTerritory & Coverage Design (Field Sales & KAM)Define territory structure, sizing, and store prioritization (80/20 focus). Design coverage models and call frequency strategiesOptimize sales productivity (impact vs. cost to serve)Support sales organization redesign toward higher‑impact coveragePerformance Management & KPI FrameworkDefine KPIs aligned to business objectives (distribution, advocacy, activation, ROI)Track performance against plan (gap‑to‑target, risks, opportunities)Ensure clear accountability across Field Sales and Strategic Accounts. Enable performance‑driven decision‑makingCustomer Strategic SegmentationDevelop customer segmentation based on size of prize, strategic relevance, and growth potentialDefine customer tiers with differentiated strategies and engagement modelsEnable focused resource allocation and tailored commercial approachesCustomer Performance Tracking (Contracts & JBP Execution)Track performance against customer contracts, trade agreements, and Joint Business Plans (JBPs)Audit and validate compliance with agreed terms (investments, activations, commitments)Ensure agreements are executed effectively and deliver expected valueTrade & Investment PlanningSupport trade allocation decisions by customer and channelEvaluate ROI and effectiveness of trade investmentsEnsure investments align with strategic priorities and growth objectivesSales‑Finance Bridge (Trade Promotion Governance & Execution)Act as the key connector between Sales and Finance for trade planning and executionAlign trade budgets, accruals, and phasing across customers and channelsEnsure visibility of planned vs. actual trade spendTrack performance vs. expected ROI and manage variancesEnable fact‑based decision‑making on investment allocationSupport governance routines (forecast alignment, trade reviews, period reviews)Lead Customer Planning & JBP OrchestrationOwn the annual customer planning calendar, including Joint Business Plans (JBPs), range reviews, and key commercial milestones, coordinating cross‑functional inputs from Category Leadership, Key Accounts, Brand, and Shopper Marketing to develop aligned and compelling customer‑facing sell‑in materials.QualificationsMinimum of a BA/BS in a business related fieldMBA or advanced degree or comparable experience is an assetMinimum 5 years of business experience in CPG industries, working in sales planning, Commercial Strategy or related rolesSolid understanding of industry and trade channelAbility to travel up to 20% of the timeStrong analytical and strategic thinking capabilitiesExperience working cross‑functionally with Sales and Finance teamsProven ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and measurable outcomesStrong communication and stakeholder management skillsAdvanced proficiency in Excel and sales planning/analytics toolsMars Leadership CompetenciesStrategic Mindset: core to translating commercial strategy into plansPlans and Aligns: central to AOP, targets, and sales planning executionEnsures Accountability: critical for KPI tracking, performance management, and governanceCollaborates: essential for working across Sales, Marketing, and FinanceBenefitsSafety : a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.Earnings : Salary range from USD$130,000 to USD$179,000, 401k with Company, and donation matching.Industry Competitive Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.Continuing Education : In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.Quality : a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.Other Perks : Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.Champion values diversity in all forms and knows the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness.#J-18808-Ljbffr