Sales & Operations Planning Manager

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Title: Sales & Operations Planning Manager 
Country: USA
Location: Raleigh, NC
Professional Area: Marketing & Sales
Role: Permanent
Reporting to: Commercial Planning Lead Manager 
Talent Attraction Expert: Vivaldo Alves

Sales & Operations Planning Manager 

This position leads the quarterly sales cycle planning process that supports go-to-market execution across the Retail Sales organization.

The Manager brings together inputs from Sales, Marketing, Finance, and other key stakeholders to translate commercial priorities, brand initiatives, trade programs, pricing actions, and field execution needs into structured, actionable, and capacity-aware plans.

The role uses store segmentation, sales performance data, and KPI insights to help ensure initiatives are directed toward the right retail outlets and can be realistically executed by the field organization. The Manager also identifies planning dependencies, potential conflicts, and resource constraints, helping stakeholders prioritize activities and make informed decisions.

In addition, the Manager develops and coordinates clear cycle plan deliverables, including planning timelines, execution guidelines, summaries, and supporting materials, ensuring the sales organization has the information and resources needed to execute approved plans with clarity and consistency.

The role works within established commercial strategies, brand priorities, trade program guidelines, store segmentation frameworks, and sales force capacity parameters, with a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• A minimum of a BA/BS Degree is required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in sales or commercial planning
• Experience developing or managing sales planning or promotional execution
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to translate business priorities into clear, actionable execution plans
• Strong cross-functional project management skills, including the ability to manage planning timelines, dependencies, and multiple stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to leverage KPIs and sales-related data to inform planning and business decisions
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build alignment and consensus across teams
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and other business partners
• Ability to assess operational constraints and translate them into realistic and executable plans
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality planning outputs within established timelines
• Fluent in English

Areas of Responsibilities:

Cycle Planning & Commercial Coordination:

• Leads the quarterly sales cycle planning process to ensure go-to-market plans are developed in a structured, timely, and collaborative manner
• Coordinates planning inputs from Sales, Marketing, Finance, and other key stakeholders
• Aligns commercial priorities, brand initiatives, trade programs, pricing actions, and field execution needs within the cycle planning process
• Establishes and manages planning timelines, milestones, dependencies, and required stakeholder inputs
• Ensures key commercial priorities are translated into clear and actionable plans for the sales organization
• Incorporates KPI results and post-activity learnings into future planning cycles to continuously improve planning effectiveness
• Facilitates cross-functional alignment and identifies issues requiring prioritization or resolution

Store Planning & Segmentation:

• Applies store segmentation and planning frameworks to ensure initiatives are directed toward the appropriate retail outlets
• Partners with Sales and other stakeholders to validate store targeting and planning assumptions
• Considers store-level requirements and commercial priorities when developing cycle plans
• Ensures execution guidance reflects the needs and characteristics of targeted retail outlets
• Uses available sales and market information to improve the relevance and effectiveness of store-level planning
• Supports consistent application of segmentation frameworks across planning cycles

Capacity, Feasibility & Prioritization:

• Assesses proposed cycle activities against sales force capacity, timing, workload, and operational constraints
• Evaluates whether proposed plans can be realistically executed within available field resources and timelines
• Identifies potential conflicts, dependencies, capacity constraints, and trade-offs before plans are finalized
• Facilitates prioritization discussions when commercial demand exceeds available field capacity
• Provides stakeholders with clear information regarding planning implications and execution feasibility
• Supports the development of realistic, executable plans that balance commercial priorities with operational requirements

Cycle Plan Deliverables & Field Readiness:

• Develops and coordinates clear cycle plan outputs for the sales organization
• Prepares planning summaries, timelines, execution guidelines, and supporting materials required for field execution
• Ensures cycle plan deliverables are accurate, complete, and aligned with approved business priorities
• Coordinates the timely communication and distribution of planning materials
• Ensures the sales organization has clear guidance and expectations ahead of each execution cycle
• Identifies opportunities to improve the clarity, consistency, and usability of planning materials
• Supports field readiness by ensuring key planning information is available within established timelines

Performance, Insights & Continuous Improvement:

• Leverages KPIs and sales-related data to evaluate planning effectiveness and inform future cycles
• Reviews performance and post-activity learnings to identify opportunities for improvement
• Integrates relevant insights into future commercial planning and prioritization
• Identifies operational dependencies and opportunities to improve cross-functional coordination
• Uses data and stakeholder feedback to strengthen the effectiveness, discipline, and consistency of the sales planning process
• Supports informed prioritization and resource allocation across commercial initiatives
• Promotes continuous improvement of planning processes, tools, and ways of working

Other:

• Manages various tasks and projects as they arise and as requested by the manager
• Supports broader commercial and sales organization priorities and initiatives as required

What to expect: 

At JTI Liggett, we are proud to be recognized as a  Top Employer and awarded the  Global Equality Standards certificate, continuing our commitment to equal pay and equal opportunities.

Our culture is what makes JTI Liggett a fun and exciting environment to work in. We value  integrity ,  trust ,  empowerment , and  freedom – freedom of choice, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom to be yourself.

We ask for  accountability ,  ownership ,  results , and  collaboration .

And we care for our people's well-being. In addition to the salary, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Annual Performance-based Bonus
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Personal Development Programs
• Medical, Dental & Vision Plan for employees & family members
• Life Insurance
• Matching 401(K)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Family Leave (20 weeks)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Education/Tuition Assistance
• Volunteering Activities
• Employee Assistance Program (counseling services for employees & family members)

Are you ready to join us? Build your success story at JTI. Apply now!

Next Steps:

After applying, if selected, please anticipate the following within 1-3 weeks of the job posting closure: Phone screening with Talent Advisor > Assessment tests > Interviews > Offer. Each step is eliminatory and may vary by role type.

At JTI, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any specific support, alternative formats, or have other access requirements, please let us know.