Sales Planning and Operations Assistant Manager

The Operations & Planning Assistant Manager is a key business partner role at the intersection of Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain, responsible for turning commercial strategy into disciplined execution. The role drives business performance by leading forecasting, allocation, and operational planning for new launches and non-sellable items, ensuring risks and opportunities are proactively managed to maximize sell-in, improve inventory productivity, and support profitable growth. With a strong focus on cross-functional alignment and decision support, this position delivers the insights, processes, and executional rigor needed to accelerate commercial performance and strengthen overall business planning.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Sales Operations & Process Excellence
Support Key Account Managers and Account Executives in day-to-day commercial operations, helping to resolve operational issues quickly and effectively.
Partner closely with the Order Management team to define priorities, coordinate actions, and drive the resolution of sellable and non-sellable order issues.
Lead and streamline workflows related to non-sellable items, ensuring strong coordination between Sales and Marketing.
Identify process improvement opportunities and implement more efficient ways of working across commercial operations.
2. Forecasting & Demand Planning
Partner with the Forecast & Demand Planning team to ensure the latest business trends, market dynamics, and commercial assumptions are reflected in forecasts and demand plans.
Lead sales forecasting for novelties and non-sellable items in close collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain.
Support sell-in forecasting and budget cycles by providing reliable commercial inputs and aligning assumptions across functions.
Contribute to forecast accuracy by monitoring performance, highlighting risks and opportunities, and recommending corrective actions where needed.
3. Inventory Optimization & Allocation
Build and manage novelty product allocation plans to secure sales coverage and maximize launch performance.
Lead discussions around assortment strategy across the distribution network, balancing commercial opportunity with inventory constraints.
Work closely with Sales Analysts and Key Account Managers to identify sell-in opportunities and maintain optimal inventory levels across channels and customers.
Monitor ageing and depreciated inventory, identify risks early, and propose actions to reduce exposure while unlocking commercial opportunities.
Support stock allocation decisions with a clear understanding of business priorities, launch plans, and customer needs.
4. Performance Monitoring & Data-Driven Insight
Track sell-in performance against targets, identifying trends, gaps, outliers, and areas requiring intervention.
Conduct post-launch and post-mortem analysis on novelty performance to capture learnings, improve future planning, and support downstream communication.
Translate sell-in and operational data into clear, actionable insights for Sales leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Develop and maintain reporting that supports decision-making, performance reviews, and business planning processes.
Use data to challenge assumptions, support recommendations, and drive continuous improvement.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & S&OP Support
Partner with Sales leadership, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Order Management to align priorities and execution plans.
Support and facilitate S&OP processes, ensuring commercial plans are integrated into broader business planning cycles.
Act as a key link between strategy and execution, translating business priorities into operational actions and follow-through.
Build strong stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment, transparency, and timely decision-making across functions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general direction of the Business Development Manager. Engages in collaborative planning and problem-solving, with a focus on strategic alignment, performance management, and continuous improvement. Seeks guidance on complex issues or deviations from strategic plans.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED - None
Experience
Experience in sales operations, demand planning, supply chain, commercial planning, or related function in a Wholesale environment. – Retail experience plus.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
Experience with forecasting, allocation, reporting, and performance analysis.
Exposure to S&OP or integrated business planning processes is a strong advantage.
Skills
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business recommendations.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive execution across teams.
Process-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
Very Strong proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP (AX preferred), PowerBi and reporting tools.
Personal Attributes
Proactive, hands-on, and solution oriented.
Collaborative and able to influence across functions.
Comfortable working between strategic planning and operational execution.
Resilient, agile, and able to perform under pressure.

Skills
Power BI, Excel, Agile, Process Improvement, Business Development, ERP

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid