Manager, BU Sales & Strategy at Kraft Heinz in Chicago, IL

Job Description

Kraft Heinz, The Company

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others. 

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone. You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

Position Summary

The Manager, BU Sales and Strategy provides leadership for category management, forecasting and trade management for the Business Unit. Main functions include but are not limited to process improvement, forecast accuracy, trade efficiency, increase in quality merchandising for our brands, distribution recommendations, and merchandising strategy changes that will help to drive profitable revenue growth. This position will collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, finance, field sales, and supply chain to ensure target delivery.

Key Components of the role

• Develop robust business proposals that combine brand story with customer’s strategic interests.
• Conduct account specific market research with category marketing to set key windows, pricing strategy and TDP (total distribution points) expectations.
• Supervise distribution build, pricing, and promotional compliance to guardrails across existing and new categories to maintain balance across channels and enhance revenue potential.
• Lead trade marketing budget to ensure spend discipline across categories and work with field teams to implement approved infusions to deliver financial goals.
• Collaborate closely with revenue management and customer sales teams to proactively deliver more efficient promotional spend without risk to buyer relationships and competitive edge.
• Deliver sales forecasting efficiency with demand, supply, and sales by leading monthly demand forecasting routines to identify key volume drivers and communicating material needs.
• Contribute thought leadership by identifying whitespace across different channels through closure of core product gaps, innovation, and profitable promotion plans incremental to plan.
• Manage product supply shortage through efficient communication with supply chain and customer sales teams to minimize revenue loss and maintain customer prioritization.
• Analyze competitive landscape periodically to help the team maintain an efficient go to market strategy and react dynamically to competitive threats.
• Develop comprehensive understanding of commercialization process and track progress of new item commercialization against pre-specified launch dates to hit customer resets.
• Own communication routines with sales teams (often involving 50+ participants) to gather market intelligence and highlight BU priorities and changes to brand strategies and tactics.
• Develop sound relationships with all cross-functional partners to guarantee efficient execution and revenue realization.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience with an understanding of FMCG industry; Prior experience in category management or sales preferred
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability with experience using data; Syndicate/panel data familiarity a plus
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Advanced Excel knowledge and experience working with databases
• Experience presenting to and working with customers

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $102,100.00 - $127,600.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s) Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.