Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning

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At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis US Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring an Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning based in Bedford, NH.

The Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning will contribute to the strategic development, storytelling, commercialization and execution of retail initiatives across retail channels. This role will be the go-to headquarter partner for the Field Sales team - collaborating throughout the selling process to deliver the strongest, insight-driven narratives while working internally with Brand Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Trade Planning and Finance to ensure optimal execution of priorities. This role will specifically be responsible for the commercialization of Stonyfield Kids & Baby Products, sales strategy and performance analytics. The Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning reports to the Senior Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Strategic Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the development of the Stonyfield Sales Strategy, utilizing point of sale data, shopper insights and trends. Partner with the Field Sales team to tailor strategy across customers - prioritizing innovation based on assortment gaps, regional trends, and internal capabilities.
• Manage Innovation Plan, working collaboratively with Marketing to ensure the right innovation is developed and shepherded through the commercialization process. Ensure critical sales deadlines are met without sacrificing the quality of the proposition.
• Utilize category management skills to develop fact-based sales presentations employing brand research to include customer and consumer syndicated data such as AC Nielson, IRI, Spins. Incorporate this information into on-going planning and decision making for focus brand(s).
• Collaborate with internal functions and customer teams to create innovative brand solutions to accelerate brand growth that address critical plan risks. Represent the voice of sales to the headquarter teams - ensure clear communication to the field sales team of changes in the plans and implications.
• Provide data-driven insights of brand(s) business trends, marketing strategies, competitive landscape, and regional/channel risks and opportunities; help develop the strategy that ties brand, category and customer plans together.

General Management & Executional Excellence

• Partner with Demand Planning and Brand Marketing to contribute to the forecasting process for Stonyfield. Coordinate the brand Risks & Opportunities, develop communication and action plan. Partner with the customer strategy team to ensure that accepted item volumes, reset timings, and promotions are all accurately reflected in monthly demand plan.
• Enable connectivity between field sales team and brand team, ensuring appropriate focus on priorities, adherence to brand guidelines and Topline partnership from concept to launch.
• Partner with Finance and Brand Marketing to develop project P&Ls; lead development and communication of recommendations based on financial analysis, project rationale and operational feasibility.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Travel may be required occasionally.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the business needs.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.
• This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy. The current policy requires 3 days per week in-office, and 2 days per week work from home.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (8 years) is required; an MBA is preferred.
• 5+ years of CPG Sales or Brand Marketing required.
• Category Strategy, Sales Strategy & Planning and/or Trade Marketing experience a plus.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills required.
• Proven experience with syndicated data and decision data/tools such as IRI, Nielsen, Spectra, Numerator, Scintilla, HH Panel, SPINs, Symphony, Numerator.
• General knowledge of the Commercialization process.
• Proven ability to lead and drive complex initiatives successfully by collaborating across various divisions and departments.
• A highly collaborative and open-minded approach, prioritizing team success and collective goals over individual recognition.
• Capacity to rigorously analyze data and complex situations to determine root causes, assess impacts, and select the most appropriate information for effective decision-making. Must be skilled at translating complex data into clear, compelling presentations (e.g., PowerPoint).
• Ability to develop and clearly articulate long-term strategies while consistently delivering on short-term results and business objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly transmit and receive information, effectively listen to and consider various viewpoints, and communicate persuasively across all organizational levels and departments.
• Strong foundational understanding of the business, enabling effective navigation and successful management of various business scenarios.
• Skilled in structuring complex problems, developing detailed and effective solutions, and maintaining strong attention to detail throughout the process.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, concurrently manage multiple projects under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and proactively identify potential issues to prevent roadblocks. Requires a positive and proactive "can-do" attitude.
• Expertise in analyzing sales data, formulating meaningful business insights, and leveraging that data to build actionable recommendations that drive business growth opportunities.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.