Sales Planning Functional Lead - TPM

Mars Incorporated; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 119,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Sales Planning TPM/TPO Functional Lead to own TPM tools, drive adoption, and develop a roadmap with stakeholders. You will oversee planning tool prioritization for the US Sales team and ensure alignment with Sales, Supply Chain, and Operations.

The role is a temporary assignment through December 2027, located in Chicago, IL or Newark, NJ, with responsibilities spanning forecasting, analytics, and process improvements to optimize promotional planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in Demand and Customer Management within FMCG, balancing customer and business priorities.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven decision making.
• Proven problem-solving abilities using processes, tools, and systems.
• Strong business acumen, including sales cycle knowledge and market trends.
• Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration across teams.
• Project management experience is required.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and launch of a new TPM system across the organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement trade forecasting tools and reporting.
• Own the maintenance and enhancement roadmap for trade planning systems and tools.
• Analyze trade forecast performance and develop improvement plans for accuracy.
• Support strategic demand planning and develop incremental forecasts.
• Identify challenges and provide data-driven solutions to improve forecast accuracy.
• Implement scalable processes to enhance planning capabilities and business performance.
• Coordinate with Data Science, Digital, and Product teams for issues and enhancements.
• Use performance metrics to identify risks, opportunities, and continuous improvement.
• Explain forecast performance and risks to Sales and Operations teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Demand planning

Sales operations

Business acumen

Project management

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, or a related field

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description:

The Sales Planning TPM/TPO (Trade Promotion Management/Trade Promotion Optimization) Functional Lead is responsible for managing the sales TPM & TPO tools by owning the planning tool, prioritization for sales teams and driving adoption for US Sales. The functional lead is considered the product owner and owns all key decisions regarding build and implementation of TPM tools. Additionally, the associate will be responsible for developing the TPM product roadmap in conjunction with stakeholder and developer Inputs. The TPM tool forecasts seasonal, Immediate, and future consumption promotions across gum, mint, fruity confections, and chocolate.

This person will work closely with Sales, Supply Chain and Operations to ensure promo planning accuracy and implementation of key Initiatives such as annual planning or process creation. The position must drive alignment of processes and key inputs from the sales organization. The Sales Planning TPM/TPO Functional Lead is also responsible for understanding the total incremental volume and sales trade forecast and supporting the sales organization in understanding key risks and opportunities.

This is a temporary assignment through December 2027. The position can be located in Chicago, IL or Newark, NJ.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation and launch of a new Trade Promotion Management (TPM) system across the organization


• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement trade forecasting tools, reporting, and change management initiatives across Sales, Supply Chain, and Marketing


• Own the maintenance, enhancement roadmap, and ongoing development of trade planning systems and tools


• Analyze trade forecast performance and develop tactical and operational improvement plans to enhance forecast accuracy and effectiveness


• Partner with Sales and internal stakeholders to support strategic demand planning and develop comprehensive incremental demand forecasts


• Work closely with stakeholders to identify challenges, provide solutions, and maximize forecast accuracy


• Identify and implement scalable, efficient, and data-driven process improvements to enhance planning capabilities and business performance


• Coordinate with technical teams, including Data Science, Digital, and Product Development, to resolve system issues and drive future enhancements


• Leverage operational reviews and performance metrics to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and continuous improvement initiatives


• Support Sales and Operations teams in understanding forecast performance, business risks, opportunities, and actual results versus plan


• Recommend and implement corrective actions to improve forecast accuracy and overall business planning effectiveness

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, or a related field required


• Master's degree preferred


• Experience in Demand and Customer Management within an FMCG environment, with the ability to balance customer and business priorities


• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging data and analytics to drive insights, decision-making, and business outcomes


• Proven problem-solving abilities, utilizing processes, tools, and systems to generate insights and develop effective solutions


• Strong business acumen, including knowledge of the sales cycle, market trends, and broader business impacts to support recommendations and actions


• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships


• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Business Analytics, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Sales Operations, Customer Management


• Demonstrated project management experience


• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related applications)

What Can You Expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.


• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.


• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00