Sales/Customer Planning Manager

Hartz Mountain Corp•Secaucus, NJ

3d•$95,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Hartz is seeking an analytical, experienced professional with a sales planning and strategy background to serve as Sales/Customer Planning Manager. The role is the strategic architect of category go-to-market execution, translating brand objectives into channel- and customer-specific plans that drive profitable growth. It integrates Customer Development (Sales), Brand Marketing, and Supply Chain, ensuring promotional investments, distribution targets, and joint business plans deliver maximum return on investment. The manager serves as the primary liaison across these teams while balancing internal alignment with external customer engagement. The position is based at Hartz’s corporate headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey, with a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remote. The role includes business travel approximately six times per year. The anticipated salary range is $95,000–$115,000, with possible eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.
At least 4 years of experience in CPG sales planning and strategy, with demonstrated success leading development of channel and customer strategies.
Experience developing and delivering sales presentations to key strategic customers.
Strong analytical skills and experience using syndicated data to support business development and sales efforts.
Proficiency in Circana PO and other financial reporting tools.
Ability to focus on priorities in a dynamic environment and consistently deliver results.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
Willingness and ability to travel approximately six times a year.

Nice To Haves

Experience with TM1 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Translate Brand Marketing strategies into tailored channel- and customer-specific growth plans while maintaining brand pillars and optimizing for customer landscapes.
Identify sales-to-target gaps and develop recovery plans or acceleration strategies with the Customer Development team.
Analyze customer plans, risks, and opportunities and provide Customer Development and senior leadership with a consolidated view of category health and trajectory.
Own internal preparation for major customer line reviews and lead cross-functional communication between Customer Development and Brand teams.
Direct development of POS analysis, shelf navigation, item selection, and promotional calendars for line review presentations.
Establish distribution targets for new innovations and promotion plans across customers, and track progress with sales team alignment.
Oversee category funding and slotting budget allocation and effectiveness.
Conduct post-event analyses to assess and optimize return on trade spend.
Evaluate Trade-as-a-Percent-of-Sales rates for assigned categories and recommend data-driven promotional strategies.
Manage internal sales planning for new distribution in innovation forecasts and event forecast management, ensuring accurate forecasts and mitigating financial risk.
Coordinate communication between Customer Development and internal stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Brand, and Finance.
Represent the voice of the customer in weekly Brand and S&OP meetings.
Communicate customer-specific distribution shifts to Demand Planning to support high fill rates and inventory health.
Direct category- and customer-specific actions to maintain Health of Inventory levels, translating director-level guidance into field execution.