Sales Planning and 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.

Purpose:

The Sr. Sales Strategy Manager translates Canadian business priorities into clear commercial strategies and actionable plans, connecting Sales with key cross-functional partners to drive execution. This role owns assigned channels and commercial priorities from strategy through execution. The Sr. Sales Strategy Manager partners cross-functionally with Marketing, Revenue Growth Management, Operations, Category Management, Finance, Demand Planning, Innovation and Sales to translate business priorities into actionable commercial plans and drive strong execution. The expectation is to bring strong commercial thinking, cross-functional leadership and disciplined execution to identify opportunities, solve complex business challenges and continuously improve how we work.

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 strategies for assigned areas of the Canadian business with the Director and translates them into annual commercial priorities and plans.
• Develops channel and go-to-market strategies that support business objectives across merchandising, innovation, distribution and other commercial growth priorities.
• Evaluates business and customer plans to identify gaps, risks and opportunities, partnering with Sales and cross-functional teams to drive profitable growth.
• Leads development, communication and coordination of Annual Planning materials
• Leads strategic commercial initiatives and projects for assigned areas of the business.

Commercialization:

• Leads commercialization of customer-specific initiatives and supports national innovation commercialization with Marketing.
• Leads development of customer-ready selling stories, materials and tools for innovation and key seasonal initiatives.
• Partners cross-functionally to develop and challenge volume assumptions, assess commercial readiness and evaluate performance against objectives.

Business Planning:

• Partners with Sales, Demand Planning, Supply Planning and Operations to optimize forecasting, volume planning, inventory and business execution.
• Leads and consults on complex business issues and opportunities, including capacity, allocation and other commercial risks.
• Identifies risks and opportunities and drives cross-functional recommendations and actions to improve business performance.
• Leads continuous improvement of commercial processes, tools and ways of working.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provides coaching and guidance to team members to support key business priorities.
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Qualifications: 

• Post-secondary education in a related field or equivalent education and experience.
• 6+ years of related work experience, preferably in a CPG / Retail environment.
• Category Management, Key Account Management, Sales Planning and/or related experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to connect business strategy, customer needs and financial impact.
• Sound strategic thinking with the ability to translate direction into clear, executable plans.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex business problems using data, judgment and cross-functional input.
• Strong communication, presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, customer-ready materials.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functionally without direct authority.
• Strong planning and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing business needs.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate sound judgment and coach more junior team members.
• Proficiency using AI tools to improve the quality, speed and effectiveness of analysis, problem-solving, communication and day-to-day work.

Functional & Leadership Competencies:

• Business Insight: Connects the dots across strategy, customer needs, functional inputs and business performance to see the holistic picture and make sound commercial recommendations.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operates effectively in ambiguity and a fast-paced environment, adapting quickly as priorities and business needs evolve.
• Drives Results: Pivots effectively between setting direction and rolling up their sleeves to move work forward and deliver results.
• Collaborates: Builds alignment and works effectively across Sales and cross-functional partners to achieve shared business objectives.
• Resourcefulness: Navigates complex business challenges, identifies practical paths forward and mobilizes the right people, information and resources to solve problems.
• Ensures Accountability: Takes ownership of commitments, follows through and creates clarity on actions and outcomes.
• Builds Networks: Builds strong relationships across Sales and internal functions and customizes approach to engage different stakeholders effectively.

Resilience: Maintains effectiveness and focus through changing priorities, setbacks and the demands of a fast-paced environment

Please note this role as a new vacancy.

Salary Range$125,000—$140,000 CAD

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.