Director of Sales Strategy &Trade Planning

JOB SUMMARY :

Do you thrive at the intersection of sales, marketing, and strategic planning? Are you a passionate leader with a proven track record of driving profitable growth?

If so, Lala US has an exciting opportunity for you as our Director of Sales Strategy & Trade Planning.

OWN YOUR IMPACT :

In this pivotal role, you'll be responsible for developing and executing the overall commercial strategy to propel Lala US to new heights.

You'll partner with key stakeholders across the organization to create a unified sales and marketing approach, ensuring we maximize sales growth and profitability across the entire portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES :

Strategic Planning & Growth Engine :

Craft and implement the annual sales plan, translating financial targets and business objectives into actionable strategies.

Lead market research initiatives to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and untapped opportunities. Develop data-driven go-to-market strategies to capitalize on these insights.

Partner with Marketing to create a cohesive sales and marketing strategy that leverages synergies across both functions.

Analyze sales data and metrics to identify growth opportunities, diagnose performance issues, and continuously improve sales effectiveness.

Develop and implement robust sales forecasting processes to ensure accurate predictions and inform strategic decision-making.

Trade Planning & Profitability Champion :

Develop and execute a comprehensive price and pack architecture for all trade channels, optimizing product offerings for profitability and market competitiveness.

Deep dive into trade promotional spending to identify optimization opportunities and maximize ROI. Lead the analysis of promotional execution to ensure effectiveness and alignment with strategic goals.

Sales Operations & Force Multiplier :

Oversee the sales planning process, fostering clear communication and seamless alignment between sales, marketing, and other departments.

Design and implement impactful sales tools and resources, such as customized sales playbooks and territory maps, to empower the sales force with the knowledge and strategies they need to succeed.

Analyze sales data and reports to identify trends, diagnose performance gaps, and develop data-driven recommendations for improvement.

Lead the internal development and external communication of compelling retailer selling materials, including those supporting new product launches, seasonal campaigns, and brand initiatives.

Coordinate webinars with broker partners to ensure effective communication and product knowledge transfer.

Oversee retail operations and broker relationships, ensuring seamless execution and strong partnerships that drive sales growth.

Leadership & Collaborative Catalyst :

Act as a bridge between the sales team and senior management, advocating for the needs of the sales force and providing insightful recommendations to leadership.

Coach and mentor sales managers, equipping them with the skills and strategies to drive high performance from their teams.

Foster a collaborative environment within the sales organization, promoting knowledge sharing and teamwork to achieve shared goals.

Partner with Marketing on the complete product launch cycle, ensuring key sales input is considered. Collaborate on developing trade and channel pricing strategies that support successful launches, considering competitive landscapes and category dynamics.

Provide data-driven retailer specific distribution assumptions and cost projections to inform initial launch volumes and resource allocation.

Lead and inspire a team of direct reports with diverse responsibilities (e.g., pricing / revenue management, retail operations, customer service), fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

WORK EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE :

8-10 years of experience in CPG sales leadership or trade management roles.

A strong understanding of P&L statements and growth drivers.

Proven analytical skills and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.