Associate Manager, Sales Strategy & Commercialization, Beverage

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Associate Manager, Sales Strategy & Commercialization, Beverage! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer‑owned co‑op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since. The Sales Strategy & Commercialization Associate Manager will translate business unit objectives and channel‑specific strategies that drive sustainable and profitable growth. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Sales Strategy & Commercialization, this role ensures that merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving guidance aligns to business unit objectives. The Associate Manager will lead communication between sales, brand marketing, and other cross‑functional partners (category management, revenue growth management, production planning, product development, brand elevation, etc.) to ensure internal cooperative goals are attained in addition to external customer/channel objectives. You will provide business intelligence for product launches and key go‑to‑market programs to empower the Sales team to create and develop customer plans. Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Alignment Translate BU objectives into sales and channel‑specific strategies that drive sustainable growth. Ensure channel‑specific strategies and innovations are developed and aligned with BU priorities, specifically in key growth channels (Club, Value, Foodservice, Liquor, Natural, and C&G). Set clear executional objectives (merchandising, assortment, pricing, shelving). Support AOP/LRP sales strategy development and building blocks. Act as liaison between Sales, Brand Marketing, and cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment. Customer & Trade Planning Support the customer planning process and oversee development of customer‑specific plans. Support customer promotion calendars following best practices for ROI and seasonality. Help evaluate trade promotion requests for financial viability and strategic fit. Support customer teams in adjusting trade calendars/spend to hit targets. Commercialization & Innovation Shape innovation pipeline by providing shopper insights and market trends. Build new product launch plans and maintain cross‑channel view for launches. Represent sales on internal projects (e.g., FUEL) and ensure timelines and selling materials are met. Coordinate execution of sales samples for new SKUs. Contribute to Go‑to‑Market planning for all BU innovations. Performance Monitoring & Pricing Monitor execution of plans and standard metrics (volume, revenue, profitability, competitive landscape). Manage channel strategies, pricing strategies, and display forecasts. Prepare justification and execute price increase decks. Evaluate items for SKU rationalization process. Budget & Financial Stewardship Represent Sales needs in trade funding deployment for innovations. Work with BU and RGM to develop trade spending budgets and deliverables. Participate in demand planning meetings to understand forecast changes. Support Revenue Management on pack/price architecture. Sales Enablement & Communication Build sell‑in decks for innovation launches and concepts for JBPs. Develop brand stories and ensure competitive context for sales teams. Deploy and update BU national playbook (including channel breakouts like Foodservice). Coordinate and maintain commercial calendar; lead 2–3 sales webinars annually and support National Sales Meeting. Qualifications Associate’s degree required, bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred. 3+ years of previous experience in sales or marketing within the CPG industry preferred. Experience in the Club, Value, Foodservice, Liquor, Natural, and C&G channels a plus. Team‑oriented with the ability to engage and influence cross‑functional teams. Excellent planning and organizational skills, including superior communication skills (written and verbal). Annual Salary: $87,400 - $120,230. The base salary range above serves as a guideline of the position’s typical hiring range, but the final offer will reflect a variety of factors. Benefits Health, dental, and vision insurance (complete package on Day‑1). Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA). Life and accident insurance. Employee assistance program, telehealth services, and 1:1 health coaching. Supportive benefits for all life stages. 401(k) with up to 6% company matching (additional discretionary match possible). Short‑term incentive and performance bonuses. Flexible scheduling options. Vacation pay, up to three weeks, pro‑rated the first year; holiday pay for 12 holidays. Career development and growth opportunities. Tuition and education assistance programs. Access to LinkedIn Learning and scholarship programs for children of employees. Parental leave, Bright Horizons Family Solutions (backup care, tutoring), adoption assistance. Bereavement leave. Up to $300 fitness reimbursement and up to $300 massage reimbursement. Employee appreciation events, discounts, and charitable giving. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For MA applicants, it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Any employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ocean Spray