Position Summary:
This position is responsible for Sales Planning and to aid Customer development within assigned Kroger Divisions. Preference is to be located in the Cincinnati, OH area- but acceptable to be within the geography of responsibility.
The Customer Planning Manager is responsible for strategic and trade planning, financial, and quantitative analysis. They will be responsible for working with the customer executives to create an enhanced customer sales plan that builds value with Kroger
Key Job Responsibilities:- Develop forecast expectations with Customer Executives and accurately input into our forecasting tool (Navigator/O9).
- Development and evaluation of value-added activity beyond Kroger's core Sales Plan in collaboration with the Customer Leads.
- Conducts all quantitative pre and post promotion performance analysis.
- Utilize trade management tools including but not limited to: Navigator/O9, Margin Miner, QLIK and syndicated data (Circana) to understand Customer performance.
- Work with Customer Executives and Order Specialists on a weekly basis to plan volume orders for key events.
- Ensure weekly calendars are accurate and communicated accordingly.
- Continuously adjust Navigator/O9 plans, driven by customer, Customer Executive, trends, forecast accuracy, strategy/guardrail change and/or course correction.
- Development of executive level Power Point Presentations and presenting performance and trade plans in review meetings.
- Effective management of Trade metrics (Trade/Unit and Trade Rate) and management of ROI.
Key Behavioral Competencies:- Ability to achieve specific objectives/outcomes and set/meet key initiatives.
- Ability to collaborate with internal co-workers to fulfill deliverables/commitments.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Self-Starter / Work in a proactive and aggressive manner (Empowered to Make Decisions).
Leadership Competencies:- Adapts approach and attitude in real time, according to the changing demands of different situations.
- Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
- Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
- Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Education and Work History: Ideal candidate will possess:
- Minimum of 5 years in either Sales Management, Customer Accounts, Price Management, Trade Planning, Revenue Growth Management or other relevant experience.
- Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate a passion to achieve results and work well with others in cross-functional teams against team-oriented goals.
- Computer skills and high proficiency in Excel with proficiency in Powerpoint and Word is required; proficiency with Margin Miner, Navigator/O9 or other Trade Planning Management tools is a plus.
- Knowledge of syndicated data like Circana and the ability to analyze data and trends is a plus.
- Travel is required - 10% or less.
The physical and mental demands described in each job posting are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of each job. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of each job.
