Sr Manager, Sales Operations - C-Store & Out of Home

Ferrara Candy Co.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Ferrara, a leading sugar confectioner, is seeking a Sr Manager of Sales Operations for the C-Store & Out of Home channel in Chicago. You will drive forecasts, performance reporting, and planning support, partnering with Sales, Trade Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure timely, fact-based visibility and alignment with strategic agendas.

You will lead channel insights, develop actionable recommendations, and maintain data integrity across systems to support IBP and commercial excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in sales operations, forecasting, category/channel analytics, or a related CPG discipline.
• Experience with S&OP tools, BI platforms, or ERP systems (e.g., SAP/S4-HANA) a plus.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills and ability to translate data into insights.

Responsibilities

• Drive weekly sales forecast for the assigned channel as part of the broader IBP process.
• Ensure forecast accuracy and alignment with Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Collaborate with Sales Pillars to feed channel forecast inputs and risk/opportunity commentary.
• Translate channel data into concise recommendations for leadership.
• Prepare channel-level data and commentary for planning forums (e.g., PMR, Supply Review).
• Support PS3 and Annual Sales Planning with robust analytics.
• Track post-launch performance to improve future planning accuracy.

Skills

Excel & data

Cross-functional collab

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

S&OP tools

BI platforms

SAP/S4-HANA

Job description

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At Ferrara, Ferrero, Fox’s Burton’s, and The Fine Biscuits Company, we’re loved by people of all generations for the joy we bring—and that joy is crafted by our people. Join us and explore a whole world to discover, where your passion will find its place.

Today, Ferrara is the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of over 9,000 employees around the world who deliver and create hundreds of iconic and beloved products.

In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands like NERDS®, Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli®. In Brazil, Dori has become a household name with snacking products that include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. And, in France, Carambar & Co have earned generations of loyal customers through the timeless appeal of iconic candy and chocolate brands such as Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry’s. A privately held company, Ferrara Group is headquartered in Chicago. Ferrara boasts a network of over 30 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.

Sr Manager, Sales Operations - C-Store & Out of Home

Work Location: Chicago

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

The Sales Operations Sr. Manager is a key member of the Sales Operations team, responsible to drive forecast accuracy, performance reporting, and planning support for an assigned customer channel. This role ensures Sales Leadership has timely, fact-based visibility into channel performance and forecast risk.

The role partners closely with channel Sales leaders, Trade Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance to keep forecasts, plans, and reporting aligned with the VP of Sales Operations' broader IBP and commercial excellence agenda.

Ways you will make a difference

• Drive the weekly sales forecast for the assigned customer channel as part of the broader IBP process.
• Ensure forecast accuracy, accountability, and alignment with Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain for the assigned channel.
• Collaborate with Sales Pillars to feed channel-level forecast inputs and risk/opportunity commentary into the VP Sales Operations' consolidated forecast.
• If applicable, support translation of indirect volume (e.g., McLane, Coremark, and other distributors) into direct customer/channel planning.

Channel Performance Reporting & Diagnostics

• Develop and deliver insights explaining sales performance at the customer, brand, and initiative level within the assigned channel.
• Translate channel data into clear, concise recommendations for Sales and Sales Operations leadership.
• Prepare channel-level data and commentary for key planning forums, including:
• Weekly sales volume update meetings
• PMR
• Supply Review and IR meetings, as relevant to the assigned channel
• Support PS3 and Annual Sales Planning for the assigned channel with robust, fact-based analytics.
• Collaborate with Trade Marketing on channel plans grounded in market trends, customer strategy, and brand assumptions.
• Track post-launch performance against plan to improve future planning accuracy.

Data Integrity & Systems

• Maintain accurate, well-governed channel data to support reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Partner with the Sales Systems & Data team to ensure the channel's data feeds and reports remain accurate as systems (e.g., S4/HANA) evolve.
• Support adoption of standardized reporting cadences, templates, and KPIs across the channel.

Skills that will make you successful

• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Outstanding cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work across Sales, Trade Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in sales operations, forecasting, category/channel analytics, or a related CPG discipline.
• Experience with S&OP tools, BI platforms, or ERP systems (e.g., SAP/S4-HANA) a plus.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Benefits-Resource-Center

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $123,668 to $173,135 annually.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.