Director of Sales Planning and Strategy

Ornua•Evanston, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a purpose-led organization, own transformational projects to drive growth for an iconic brand, and make a difference. The Director, Sales Planning & Strategy at Ornua Foods North America would play a pivotal role in driving profitable growth for brands like Kerrygold and Dubliner. This position sits at the intersection of sales, marketing, category, finance and supply chain and is designed to enhance our go-to-market, retail execution and category performance through data-driven strategy and trade activation. You’ll translate insights and brand strategy into compelling plans that optimize promotional spend, build and support product launch plans, ensure effective in-store presence, collaborate with supply on demand forecasting, and inform long-term business planning with major retailers.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
5-7 years of professional experience with an understanding of FMCG industry; Prior experience in internal sales or sales preferred
Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability with experience using data; Syndicate/panel data familiarity a plus
Familiarity with trade promotion management systems (ie TPM), and demand planning processes (ie IBP).
Strong analytical mindset, commercial acumen, outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills
Excellent organizational and project management skills
Advanced Excel knowledge and experience working with databases
Experience presenting to and working with customers

Responsibilities

Stakeholder Collaboration & Cross Functional Influence: Influence internally through working closely with Marketing, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, and Category teams to ensure cohesive processes and execution of aligned upon goals and objectives. Own communication routines with sales teams to highlight business priorities and changes to brand strategies and tactics. Be a voice of Sales & customers back to central functions. Manage product supply shortage through efficient communication with supply chain and customer sales teams to minimize revenue loss and maintain customer prioritization.
Sales Planning & Forecasting: Build and drive sales forecasting process with demand, supply, and sales by leading monthly demand forecasting routines to identify key volume drivers and communicating material needs. Identify whitespace across different channels and customers through closure of core product distribution or shelving gaps, innovation, and profitable promotion plans. Lead annual customer budget cascade, setting growth targets by channel/customer and ensuring effective promotional plans.
Joint Business Planning: Collaborate in joint business planning (JBP) creation with Sales teams – helping to merge insights, commercial plans, and promotional strategies. Lead the evolution of our Strategic Selling Story 2.0, elevating customer conversations beyond category performance to position the company as future-forward, highly sustainable, and innovative food partner, highlighting our ability to impact the future of food, not just butter sales.
Trade Promotion Effectiveness & Optimization: Develop and manage standardized trade marketing and promotional calendars, ensuring alignment to category and brand objectives. Ensure spend discipline across customers and channels. Lead post-promotional reviews, measuring success against plans and providing actionable insights to sales teams.
Innovation Launch & Execution: Support new product launches from inception to in-store through creating the right selling materials, aligning and tracking volume and sell-in expectations, optimizing budget. Develop comprehensive understanding of innovation commercialization process to help track progress against launch dates to meet customer reset timing.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, benefits, and career development opportunities
Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working, with 3 days/week in office, plus a 2 week per year ‘Work From Anywhere’ option.
Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover
401k
Paid Time Off
Maternity Leave (20 weeks)
Parental Leave
Flexible working
Fitness Reimbursement
Charity Donation
Complimentary Kerrygold products
Free car parking and secure bicycle storage
Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office
Reward & Recognition program
Volunteering opportunities
Long Service Awards.