Senior Manager, Channel Planning

Grow with Welch's!

Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Channel Planning leads the development and execution of commercial growth strategies for the grocery channel, inclusive of, but not limited to, key national (Kroger & Albertson’s), and regional (Publix, HEB, Market Basket) banners. This role serves as the critical link between Sales, Category Management, Marketing, Revenue Growth Management, Supply Chain, and Finance to drive profitable growth, strengthen customer partnerships, and ensure execution of strategic business objectives.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, customer expertise, and cross-functional leadership to influence business decisions and deliver best-in-class channel planning across the Welch’s portfolio.

The role sits within the sales organization and oversees a small team of Associate Channel Planning Managers who support Dollar/Value/Wholesale, Grocery and the Direct Store Delivery (DSD) channels.
Where You’ll Work:

This role will be based out of our Waltham, MA headquarters where you will be immersed in a dynamic workplace where innovation thrives and collaboration is key.

Our company in-office schedule is designed to maximize collaboration & relationship building balanced with flexibility and well-being with 3 days in office and Thursdays/Friday being remote, flex days.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and execute annual grocery channel strategies and customer business plans align with company growth objectives.
• Partner with Sales to identify opportunities to increase distribution, drive velocity, improve promotional effectiveness, and maximize category growth.
• Lead the development of Annual Operating Plans (AOP), Strategic Growth Plans, and Joint Business Plans (JBP) for assigned customers.
• Prepare for (in partnership with field teams, category management, insights and marketing) and participate in retailer calls, driving effective sell-in strategies and maximizing growth opportunities.
• Establish key performance indicators and monitor progress against financial, volume, market share, and profitability targets.

• Serve as the channel expert, utilizing retailer, shopper, category, and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities and develop actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with Category Management and Insights teams to create compelling customer-facing selling stories and category growth strategies.
• Support retailer line reviews, joint business planning sessions, and strategic customer meetings.
• Translate consumer and market trends into executable channel and customer initiatives.

• Lead trade promotion planning and investment strategies (in collaboration with the Sr. Manager, Revenue Growth) to maximize ROI and profitable growth.
• Partner with Revenue Growth Management, Finance, and Sales to evaluate pricing, promotion, assortment, and merchandising opportunities.
• Utilize trade analytics and post-event evaluations to continuously improve customer investment performance.
• Ensure alignment between customer-specific strategies and overall corporate pricing and profitability objectives.

• Represent customer and channel requirements within forecasting, demand planning, and S&OP processes.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Demand Planning teams to ensure accurate forecasting and successful execution of promotional and innovation initiatives.
• Identify risks and opportunities that impact volume, revenue, or supply and proactively recommend solutions.