Sales Planning & Strategy Manager

The Sales Planning and Strategy Manager leads the sales planning and strategy for the Canadian retail grocery business, connecting cross-functional partners to translate approved commercial priorities into practical customer, volume and execution plans. This role owns assigned channels and commercial priorities from strategy through execution. The Sales Strategy Manager manages the sales planning calendar, consolidates sales inputs, monitors performance and follows actions to support coordinated execution.

Specific channel, project and functional accountabilities will vary based on assigned portfolio and evolving business priorities.

• →Demonstrates and upholds Riverside’s Core Values.

• →Provides coaching and guidance to the Cross-functional teams with external perspectives to support key business initiatives for Canada Sales team – display forecasting, special packs, etc.
• →Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming
• →Other responsibilities as assigned

• Builds 3 Year strategy plans for assigned areas of the Canadian business with Director and translates strategies into annual commercial priorities and plans.
• Establishes channel and go-to-market strategies that support business objectives, including merchandising, innovation, distribution and other commercial growth priorities.

• Manages the sales planning calendar and coordinates inputs, timelines and deliverables for annual, monthly and customer planning cycles.
• Consolidates Sales inputs for base business, promotions, displays, special packs and innovation; documents volume assumptions, timing, risks and opportunities.
• Partners with Demand Planning and Operations to reconcile sales inputs with demand forecasts, inventory availability, production lead times and capacity constraints.
• Reviews forecast variances with Sales and Demand Planning, identifies drivers and follows up on agreed adjustments and actions.
• Prepares sales inputs for established business planning forums and maintains action logs, owners and due dates.

• Lead development of strong customer selling stories, materials and tools for innovation and key commercial initiatives.
• Acts as the day-to-day sales planning contact for Operations, Marketing and Finance on assigned retail grocery priorities.
• Coordinates with Marketing on promotional calendars, launch timing, product changes and selling materials so customer plans reflect approved activities.
• Flags supply, timing and financial risks early, gathers options from functional partners and escalates decisions beyond delegated authority.
• Communicates agreed plan changes to Sales and functional partners and tracks follow-through.
• Lead the post-evaluation process for new item launches to monitor and report on variances vs. targets
• Partners cross-functionally to develop and challenge volume assumptions and assess commercial readiness.
• Evaluates performance of launches and key commercial initiatives against objectives, identifies gaps and opportunities, and incorporates learnings into future plans.

This position reports to the Director of Sales Planning & Strategy.

• Post-secondary education in a related field (or equivalent education and experience)
• 5-7 years of related work experience, preferably in a CPG / Retail environment
• Strategy, Category Management and/or Key Account Management experience preferred

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.
  
• Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable. Bring the consumer voice into your work by protecting product quality, availability, and experience, acting early when standards slip, and delivering consistent value that earns trust, advocacy, and long-term brand love.

• High energy, ADAPTABLE, self-starter, able to change priorities as situations change.
• Demonstrable success at creatively solving problems and implementing those solutions.
• Must have strong presentation and listening skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to coach and mentor more junior members of the team.
• Independent problem solver with good judgement.
• Strong ability to work under pressure to meet tight timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, professional telephone manner.
• TEAM player with a positive attitude
• Excellent planning, organizing, multitasking and time management skills.
• Proficient computer knowledge: Microsoft Office, Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.