Associate Manager Sales Planning Associate Manager, Sales Planning plays a critical role in enabling Hershey Canada’s commercial success. This position is responsible for integrating sales insights into business planning cycles, optimizing in-year execution, and driving future capabilities that support strategic growth. You’ll work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and Commercial Planning teams to ensure that Sales is represented with clarity, consistency, and strategic foresight. You will act as the primary sales planning contact for assigned sales teams, leading discussions on planning outlook, and facilitating activities that support accurate, strategic forecasts and plans. Collaborate closely with: Demand and Supply Planning Brand Teams What will you do Lead Today – In-year Planning & Execution Lead discussions on planning outlook to support accurate forecasting, strategic plans, and in-year plan achievement Translate customer strategies and forecast‑drivers into actionable insights. Develop and publish short‑term planning reports that summarize the sales outlook, performance drivers, risks, and opportunities across customer segments Represent Sales in monthly cross‑functional business meetings, providing updates on forecast changes, performance trends, and strategic implications Lead waste mitigation efforts by coordinating cross‑functional solutions for excess or aging inventory, including special sales programs and promotional opportunities Create Tomorrow – Strategic Insight & Process Improvement Strengthen forecasting and planning practices by leveraging business intelligence tools (e.g. PowerBI) to deliver timely insights, with a focus on improving forecasting visibility and accuracy for merchandizing display vehicle programs Streamline communication of sales insights across internal planning forums, ensuring alignment with marketing and commercial strategies Build the Future – Capability Development Innovate planning tools and processes that improve agility, accuracy, and usability of insights across teams Lead or support strategic projects that enhance Sales Planning capabilities and enable long‑term success What We Need Strong influence, negotiation, and empathetic listening skills Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights Strategic thinking and ability to manage multiple complex projects Creativity and a process improvement mindset Composure under pressure and time constraints Ability to work in ambiguous situations and bring clarity Collaborative, proactive, and accountable approach Experience & Education Education: Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred but not required Experience: Minimum 3 years progressive responsibility within FMCG, including strong experiences in commercial areas of business (Sales Planning, Commercial Planning, Demand/Supply Planning, Sales, Marketing, etc.) and proven track record of progressive responsibility #J-18808-Ljbffr