Business Planning Specialist - Consumer South Region

Job Overview This full‑time, permanent role is based in Vimercate (MB), Italy and is hybrid. The Sales Planning Analyst supports Business Planning activities for both Consumer and Commercial product groups, focusing primarily on Consumer. The incumbent will drive accurate sales forecasting, structured governance, and data‑driven decision‑making across the group. The position reports to the Sales Operations Manager and works closely with Sales Directors and central Business Planning.

Responsibilities

Sales Planning / Landing Point Alignment / DP input

Prepare weekly Landing Point and Sales Planning in coordination with the LSCM team, ensuring customer delivery reliability and enabling performance management to support company targets.

Provide monthly input to Central Demand Planning team to secure demand signal quality, facilitating accurate supply planning and coordinating pricing strategy, marketing, logistics & supply chain and GTM plans.

Gap Analysis & Action Planning

Identify gaps in performance and translate insights into action plans to support sales target achievement with Sales Directors.

Monitor sales performance, identify deviations from plan, conduct root‑cause analysis, and initiate corrective actions.

Streamlined Management Reporting

Coordinate and support the preparation of Sales Performance Business Reviews, Executive Review meetings, and handle ad‑hoc requests from VPs, central teams or local Sales Directors.

Consolidate market performance results and trends, highlighting key drivers, risks & opportunities.

Ensure alignment of all business performance materials with HQ templates and standards.

Budgeting (OB, Field budget and Customer Targets)

Coordinate and prepare Budget (OB) and Latest Forecast (LF) processes at the local level, gathering B4P inputs.

Consolidate high‑level DUMS input for OB and contribute to financial simulations and what‑if scenarios with HQ demand planning, Business Planning and Sales teams.

Maintain field sales budget in alignment with HQ guidelines, underpinning the Sales Incentive Plan.

Coordinate and manage customer targets with the local organization to support performance goals, following HQ policies and pricing alignment.

Sales Enablement & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Promote engagement with local Sales teams through kick‑off meetings, alignment sessions, and key customer interactions.

Contribute to sales enablement and execution efforts through close contact with Sales teams, ensuring continuous market feedback, explaining guidelines, and providing operational tools and presentations.

Ensure regional coordination and execution of company priorities, incorporating local market insight into GTM plans.

Collaborate closely with Sales Leaders, Finance, Marketing and LSCM to align targets and information flow.

Support coordination between Consumer and Commercial planning activities for continuity and standardization.

Process Optimization & Standardization

Contribute to simplification and standardization of planning and reporting processes following HQ guidance.

Support automation and digitalization initiatives to improve forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.

Required Capabilities

Degree in Economics, Marketing, Business Administration (preferred).

Knowledge of digital tools.

Experience with sales planning, analysis, and forecasting techniques.

Strong business acumen.

Advanced proficiency in Excel.

Fluency in English and Italian mother tongue.

Benefits

Supportive and engaging onboarding experience.

Opportunities for development and growth through training and mentorship.

Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

Global, dynamic and challenging work environment.

Work/life balance and long‑term well‑being focus.

Inclusive and diverse team culture.

Salary range: €31,266 - 47,000 (location‑based, gender‑neutral criteria). The final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity.

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