Work Location: Chicago
Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.
Want to make an impact?
The Sr. Manager, Sales Strategy and Customer Marketing will drive collaboration across functions and develop go-to-market strategy & execution plans for each Brand. They will be a functional extension of the Sales & Brand teams that effectively strategies, communicates and executes key business initiatives with the goal of enabling the sales force to drive profitable and sustainable sales growth. This role is also integral in facilitating Integrated Commercial Planning (ICP), a process that ensures the development of strategic, actionable, and aligned business plans. This is a highly complex position that requires ability to prioritize, manage key stakeholders, and deliver growth expectations.
The role will lead and work cross-functionally with sales, brand, category management, demand/sales planning, operations, and finance to ensure company objectives are achieved. This person will help influence and inform go-to-market strategies. Specifically, deploy essential marketing tactics (4-P's):
- Price/Product architecture - ensure the right product at the right price in the right size
- Placement - optimize in-store merchandising and communicate how our unique offerings will create a compelling win/win proposition for our customers
- Promotion - deploy effective customer push (trade) and consumer pull (customer marketing) tactics
Ways you will make a difference
- Collaborate with and lead multiple internal cross-functional groups (e.g., Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, Revenue Management, Category Management, Commercialization) to drive brand initiatives
- Engage with Marketing to provide the voice of sales and customers in strategic initiatives; evaluate and recommend go/no-go action based on the viability of a strategic initiative
- Develop national Brand selling stories and toolkits that arm the Sales team to sell-in to customers and drive clear strategic direction and a call to action
- Leverage key internal forums to communicate key initiatives, updates and expectations to the Sales team
- Develop a deep understanding of retailers, consumers and brands (via SWOT analysis, competitive assessment) and apply that understanding to develop brand plans and strategies
- Lead the development of go-to-market strategies for key innovation launches and big bet display programs across Distribution, Shelving, Merchandising and Pricing
- Collaborate with cross-functional team to develop and refine long-term innovation pipeline and portfolio strategies that maximize value and align with category vision
- Engage with Channel teams to develop an understanding of what is needed on-going to drive success of sell-in and performance with retailers
- Perform special projects as required
Skills that will make you successful
- Results driven
- Strong work ethic with high sense of urgency, accountability, and initiative
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with an ownership mentality; strong planning and organization skills
- Willingness to attack problems for immediate resolution
- Effective verbal and written communicator across all levels of the organization
- Ability to understand and articulate complicated concepts in clear, concise terms
- Business acumen with strong analytical skills and demonstrated technical competence
- Continuous improvement mindset with high tolerance for ambiguity
- Commercial understanding of marketing, sales and operational strategy, planning and budgetary issues
- Willingness to travel as needed
- High proficiency in MS Excel and Office Suite
- Functional SAP user is a plus
Experiences that will support your success
- Minimum Bachelors degree, preferably in Business, Marketing, or related field
- Minimum of 5 years of sales, marketing, or business experience preferably in the CPG industry.
- Syndicated data experience (IRI, Nielsen, loyalty databases, customer specific, etc.) High competency in examining data, managing complex data sets and analytical problem-solving
- Relevant project management or consulting work is preferred
- Experience and skill presenting concepts to multiple audiences, including senior leadership
What We Offer
At Ferrara, were proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Benefits-Resource-Center
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $123,668 to $173,135 annually.