Manager, Sales & Incentive Compensation

Manager, Sales & Incentive CompensationThis role leads the Compensation team responsible for governance and execution of the organization's sales and incentive compensation programs, achieving results through assigned direct reports and cross-functional partners rather than through personal execution alone. Accountable for short-term incentive programs (STIP, RBIP, SIP), sales incentive plan design, variable pay forecasting, and long-term incentive program administration, the Manager sets team direction, removes execution barriers, and serves as the escalation point with Finance, Legal, Sales leadership, and HR Business Partners — ensuring incentive programs run with accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment.Job Will Remain Open Until FilledResponsibilitiesThe Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.Direct and oversee execution of all sales and short term incentive plans including commissions and bonuses through the team, ensuring accurate and timely calculations, validations, and payouts while serving as escalation point for issues and disputesServe as advisor and primary point of contact for sales leadership, finance, and HR partners on incentive strategy, plan design, and program interpretation while building strong stakeholder relationshipsOversee financial partnership for incentive compensation including forecasting, accruals, true ups, and budget planning while ensuring programs operate within approved financial guidelinesDirect analysis and reporting of incentive attainment, performance distribution, and cost effectiveness while using insights to inform leadership decisions and identify risksLead systems strategy and process optimization for incentive compensation including system enhancements, data integrity, testing, and workflow improvementsEstablish governance frameworks for incentive programs including policies, procedures, audit readiness, and compliance requirements while maintaining standards as programs evolveManage, coach, and develop direct reports while setting goals, providing feedback, and making workload and prioritization decisions for the teamQualificationsEducation Requirements: Bachelor's degree (Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance, or related field preferred)Experience Requirements: 6–8 years experience in relevant field (Sales compensation, incentive plan design, or variable pay administration experience preferred)Travel requirement: No travel requirementsDirect Reports: Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resourcesIndirect Reports: May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reportsStrong understanding of sales compensation and incentive program operations in complex environmentsAbility to translate compensation governance and plan design into executable processesAdvanced analytical skills including data validation, audit checks, and quality assurance practicesAbility to manage multiple compensation cycles and cross functional deliverablesExperience with process improvement and systems enablementStrong communication and documentation skills for explaining compensation plans and resolving issuesDemonstrated people management and team development skillsWorking knowledge of long term incentive, deferred cash, and related compensation programsOffice / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically, requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may require the ability to lift up to 10lbs.Important InformationThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified. The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.