Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy and Planning - Oui & Brown Cow

Lactalis USA; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time Off from day one

Job summary

A leading dairy company in Minnetonka, Minnesota is seeking an Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning Manager. This position involves developing sales strategies for Go-GURT products through collaboration with marketing and various internal teams. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years in CPG Sales or Brand Marketing, strong analytical skills, and experience with syndicated data. The company offers a variety of benefits, including training, education reimbursement, and comprehensive health coverage from day one.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in CPG Sales or Brand Marketing.
• Experience in Category Strategy, Sales Strategy & Planning is preferred.
• Proven ability to use advanced analytical tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop Go-GURT Sales Strategy using insights from point-of-sale data.
• Collaborate on brand innovation and manage deadlines effectively.
• Create fact-based sales presentations using consumer data.
• Ensure communication of strategy and changes to the sales team.

Skills

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint skills

Syndicated data analysis

Category Strategy

Sales Strategy

Trade Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

IRI/Circana

AC Nielsen

Spectra

Numerator

Job description

Associate Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Planning Manager

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

Responsibilities

Strategic Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the development of the Go‑GURT 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 the 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 IRI/Circana, AC Nielsen, Numerator. Incorporate this information into ongoing 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 headquarters 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 Go‑GURT. 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 the monthly demand plan.
• Enable connectivity between the 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree

Experience

• 5+ years of CPG Sales or Brand Marketing required.
• Category Strategy, Sales Strategy & Planning and/or Trade Marketing experience a plus.

Certifications and Knowledge

• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills required.
• Proven experience with syndicated data and decision data/tools such as IRI/Circana, AC Nielsen, Spectra, Numerator, Scintilla, HH Panel, SPINs, Symphony.
• General knowledge of the Commercialization process.

Benefits

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.