Sales Planning & Strategy Manager

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective: 

The Sales Planning and Strategy Manager leads the sales planning and strategy for the Canadian retail grocery business, connecting cross-functional partners to translate approved commercial priorities into practical customer, volume and execution plans. This role owns assigned channels and commercial priorities from strategy through execution. The Sales Strategy Manager manages the sales planning calendar, consolidates sales inputs, monitors performance and follows actions to support coordinated execution.

Specific channel, project and functional accountabilities will vary based on assigned portfolio and evolving business priorities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates and upholds Riverside’s Core Values.

Strategic and Annual Planning:

• Builds 3 Year strategy plans for assigned areas of the Canadian business with Director and translates strategies into annual commercial priorities and plans.
• Establishes channel and go-to-market strategies that support business objectives, including merchandising, innovation, distribution and other commercial growth priorities.

Sales Planning and Forecast Coordination

• Manages the sales planning calendar and coordinates inputs, timelines and deliverables for annual, monthly and customer planning cycles.
• Consolidates Sales inputs for base business, promotions, displays, special packs and innovation; documents volume assumptions, timing, risks and opportunities.
• Partners with Demand Planning and Operations to reconcile sales inputs with demand forecasts, inventory availability, production lead times and capacity constraints.
• Reviews forecast variances with Sales and Demand Planning, identifies drivers and follows up on agreed adjustments and actions.
• Prepares sales inputs for established business planning forums and maintains action logs, owners and due dates.

Cross Functional Business Planning:

• Lead development of strong customer selling stories, materials and tools for innovation and key commercial initiatives.
• Acts as the day-to-day sales planning contact for Operations, Marketing and Finance on assigned retail grocery priorities.
• Coordinates with Marketing on promotional calendars, launch timing, product changes and selling materials so customer plans reflect approved activities.
• Flags supply, timing and financial risks early, gathers options from functional partners and escalates decisions beyond delegated authority.
• Communicates agreed plan changes to Sales and functional partners and tracks follow-through.
• Lead the post-evaluation process for new item launches to monitor and report on variances vs. targets
• Partners cross-functionally to develop and challenge volume assumptions and assess commercial readiness.
• Evaluates performance of launches and key commercial initiatives against objectives, identifies gaps and opportunities, and incorporates learnings into future plans.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provides coaching and guidance to the Cross-functional teams with external perspectives to support key business initiatives for Canada Sales team – display forecasting, special packs, etc.
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Director of Sales Planning & Strategy.

Education & Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in a related field (or equivalent education and experience)
• 5-7 years of related work experience, preferably in a CPG / Retail environment
• Strategy, Category Management and/or Key Account Management experience preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• High energy, ADAPTABLE, self-starter, able to change priorities as situations change.
• Demonstrable success at creatively solving problems and implementing those solutions.
• Must have strong presentation and listening skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to coach and mentor more junior members of the team.
• Independent problem solver with good judgement.
• Strong ability to work under pressure to meet tight timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, professional telephone manner.
• TEAM player with a positive attitude
• Excellent planning, organizing, multitasking and time management skills.
• Proficient computer knowledge: Microsoft Office, Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.

At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.
  
• Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable. Bring the consumer voice into your work by protecting product quality, availability, and experience, acting early when standards slip, and delivering consistent value that earns trust, advocacy, and long-term brand love.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey
• Eligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing Plan
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.