Senior Sales Strategy Manager - Nivea

Beiersdorf • Stamford, CT

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a bold and strategic commercial leader to join our Nivea business unit as a Senior Sales Strategy Manager for Nivea. This role is pivotal in translating brand, category, and channel strategies into a clear, executable trade strategy — with a sharp focus on the unique dynamics of seasonal businesses with high dependency on flawless execution timing.
As the strategic architectbehind in-market execution, you will own the development and deployment of the trade strategy, lead 4Ps steering, serve as the internal voice of Sales, and manage commercial reporting and insights to deliver on budgeted sales, profit, and share goals.
You will lead efforts that align cross-functional partners, ensure excellence in execution during peak seasonal windows, and drive performance in a highly competitive category.
This position reports to the Director, Sales Strategy/Commercial Excellence and does not have direct reports.
The three strategic pillars of the Sales Strategy function are:
Annual Trade Planning & Leadership of National Sales Meeting
Sales Execution Monitoring & Action Planning
Internal Lead Voice of Sales

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred
• 5+ years of experience in Sales Strategy, Business Development, or related commercial functions
• 3+ years in Field Sales with exposure to at least two channels within Mass, Drug, Grocery, Club, Value, and eCommerce
• Experience in seasonal businesses with high dependency on execution timing is a must, with a proven track record of excellence in execution
• Sharp analytical skills are a must — including the ability to independently extract, analyze, and present complex data and trends from multiple sources such as Circana/Nielsen/Scintilla, shipment data, and internal performance trackers
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI (or similar platforms) for reporting and decision support
• Proven collaborator with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to influence across levels
• Adept at managing complex projects under tight timelines to meet both customer and internal needs

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Revenue Growth Management and/or Category Management is a plus

Responsibilities

• Annual Planning: Lead Trade Strategy Development & Execution on where to play and how to win
• Develop and align the Channel Strategy across Aquaphor in partnership with the Head of Commercial Strategy and Head of Marketing
• Own the Trade Strategy, including customer/channel-level Net Sales growth targets and investment guidance aligned to brand priorities
• Coordinate the Commercial Playbook (MAPPS), ensuring strategies translate effectively into execution at retail
• Act as a key stakeholder in the Go-to-Market process for all innovation, launches, and customer-specific programs — from volume planning to sell-in storytelling
• Sales Execution Monitoring and Action Planning: Monitor execution and drive course correcting action plans as needed
• Track execution of the MAPPS strategy and drive timely course correction in partnership with Sales
• Identify and close gaps to plan using rigorous sales analysis and collaborative action planning
• Minimize retailer-level activity clashes and ensure full alignment with Aquaphor's major brand activations — particularly during peak season
• Champion excellence in execution, ensuring retail activation is timely, targeted, and aligned with brand strategy
• Internal Lead Voice of Sales: Serve as voice of sales/customers, champion of customer requirements
• Serve as the primary liaison between Sales and cross-functional teams, synthesizing and representing Sales/customer requirements
• Be the first point of call for trade/channel thinking: provide internal teams (Brand, Category Management, Finance, Supply Chain) with channel and retailer expertise to strengthen retail programs and investment decisions
• Represent Sales in key forums, including S&OP/Optima meetings and during issue escalation/crisis response
• Ensure consistent communication into and out of Sales to drive alignment and speed of execution

Benefits

• Generous and flexible PTO policy
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness and Benefits program
• Cash Balance Plan (similar to a pension)
• 401k match
• Established Employee Resource Groups/affinity groups help to grow important connections and belonging with other colleagues

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees