Senior Customer Planning Manager

Perfetti Van Melle

. Lead Category Sales Planning for assigned brands across channels .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeErlanger • Kentucky • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Category Sales Planning, with a strong focus on channel-specific strategies, customer planning processes, and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to manage product life cycles, analyze competitive landscapes, and influence decision-making across departments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Category Sales PlanningCross-Functional CollaborationP&L ManagementCustomer Annual PlanningProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Financial AcumenProduct Life Cycle ManagementChannel-Specific StrategiesAssortment PlanningMerchandisingPricing StrategySKU RationalizationInnovation Pipeline DevelopmentData AnalysisRetailer Practices

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsRelationship BuildingInfluencing SkillsOrganizational SkillsMulti-Tasking

Tools & Technologies

NielsenCircanaMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in BusinessMBA Preferred

Industry Keywords

CPG ExperienceBrand ManagementTrade Investment PlansCustomer InsightsSales Collateral

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Category Sales Planning for assigned brands across channels
Translate PVM objectives and strategies into sales and channel-specific strategies and objectives
Own the customer planning process and oversee plan creation
Set executional objectives for assortment, merchandising, pricing, and shelving
Develop channel-specific strategies, innovations, and display vehicles
Coordinate with Marketing to build brand plans, brand stories, and sales collateral
Analyze the competitive landscape and provide business intelligence on brands and products
Lead portfolio management, commercialization of new products, launches, and product life cycle management
Shape the innovation pipeline with shopper, shelving, and packaging insights
Build new product launch plans covering product sequencing, pricing, and ship dates
Advise category management on retailer selling stories and recommend SKU rationalization
Liaise between Sales, Brand Marketing, and other functions to align customer execution with strategic objectives
Provide sales and customer input into product development and maintain a cross-channel view of launches
Ensure cross-functional alignment of trade investment plans
Represent customer and field perspectives in internal cross-functional meetings

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required; MBA preferred
10+ years of CPG experience
Strong understanding of channel and key retailer practices
Involvement with customer annual planning process
Ability to work effectively across departments — Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Category/Insights, Retail Growth Management
Demonstrated ability to influence across the organization
Matrix management and project management experience
Financial acumen, including P&L management exposure
Thrives in fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while being highly organized and structured
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
Senior-level relationship-building and direct decision-making skills
Strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills
Exposure to syndicated/customer data such as Nielsen or Circana

Benefits

Comp & perks

PTO package including vacation, sick, personal, and pay it forward time off
13 paid holidays
401k with Company Match up to 8%
Annual bonus potential and merit-based increases
Comprehensive health insurance
Annual well-being subsidy
20 weeks Maternity and 12 weeks Paternity leave options
Sam's Club or Costco annual membership reimbursement
Tuition-Free College Program or Free Continued Education (BA, Masters, etc.)
Modest monthly candy allotment (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos)