Customer Planning Manager

The Customer Planning Manager at Kinder's has a variety of responsibilities that are crucial to driving our Walmart business. This role involves analyzing business performance, identifying growth opportunities, and working closely with the Shopper Marketing team to effectively execute marketing strategies. The Customer Planning Manager is also responsible for managing trade promotional activities and collaborating with the Brand and Commercialization teams for successful product launches.

To be considered for the Customer Planning Manager role at Kinder's, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree and possess at least 5 years of experience in the CPG industry, especially in areas such as marketing, sales operations, or planning. Familiarity with Walmart or Sam's Club operations is highly beneficial, alongside strong analytical skills and proficiency in PC applications like Excel and PowerPoint.

The Customer Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in Kinder's growth by driving profitable outcomes for our Walmart business. This position involves detailed analysis of business performance, contributing to informed decision-making, and aligning marketing initiatives to support sales. By identifying risks and opportunities within data, the Customer Planning Manager helps Kinder's maximize its presence in a competitive market.

Yes, the Customer Planning Manager position at Kinder's does have travel expectations. While most activities will be conducted from the office either in Walnut Creek, CA, or Bentonville, AR, periodic travel will be necessary to support business initiatives and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.

At Kinder's, we foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture where every team member is empowered to make a difference. The Customer Planning Manager will find that our environment thrives on agility, innovation, and effective communication. We value smart risk-taking and an open exchange of ideas, ensuring that no two days are the same, allowing for constant growth and learning.

In an interview, focus on how you utilize data analysis tools to track performance metrics and derive insights. Mention specific examples of how you've identified gaps and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations based on your findings.

In response, emphasize your ability to assess project impact, deadlines, and resource availability. Share methods you’ve used, such as project management tools or prioritization frameworks, to ensure successful and timely project completions.

Highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Discuss a specific scenario where you worked with marketing, sales, and product teams to achieve a common goal, detailing how clear communication and shared objectives were key to success.

Explain your methodology for collecting data to inform accurate forecasts. Discuss your familiarity with forecasting tools and how you assess past performance to create robust projection models that align with business objectives.

Choose a specific product launch that highlights your role in planning and execution. Discuss the challenges faced, how you coordinated with various teams, and the impact your contributions had on sales and market reception.

Provide examples showcasing your comfort with decision-making in uncertain situations. Discuss how you gather available data, consult with stakeholders, and balance risks intelligently to reach effective conclusions even when information is incomplete.

Discuss your experience with specific trade promotion management tools. Highlight your ability to analyze promotional effectiveness and track ROI, showing how these insights inform future promotional strategies.

Share specific instances where you successfully managed relationships or projects involving Walmart or similar retailers. Emphasize your understanding of their operational frameworks and how your knowledge has positively impacted collaboration.

Select a situation where your analytical work influenced a significant business decision. Explain the data you analyzed, your evaluation process, and the resulting actions taken, illustrating how your insights contributed to success.

Articulate your adaptability and attentiveness in communication. Discuss how you tailor your message based on the audience, ensuring clarity and alignment of goals. Highlight your experience in delivering presentations and reports to diverse groups.