Sales Planning & Operations Analyst

This is a Full Time Job

Please note that this role is based in the United Kingdom. To enable us to meet the statutory and regulatory obligations of the United Kingdom immigration system, you must have the appropriate immigration permission needed to work and reside in the United Kingdom for the duration of the employment.

The TV Distribution Sales Planning team is responsible for setting and delivering our product distribution strategy, supporting negotiations and delivering the end-to-end sales process. This includes franchise planning, managing product availabilities and rights, negotiation and pricing support, contract review and execution, and budgeting and forecasting.

Our London office has a new opportunity for an Analyst, Sales Planning & Operations to join their Sales Planning and Operations team in TV Distribution, supporting the UK, Ireland and Malta territories. The role in Sales Planning & Operations covers three key areas: Deal Management & Administration, Sales Analysis & Title Inventory Management and Forecasting & Planning.

The candidate will ideally have a background in TV Distribution or have worked previously in a media role with some existing knowledge of the broadcast landscape and platforms. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, strong Excel / analytical skills, as well as the ability to learn new systems and processes quickly.

What you'll do:

Deal Management & Administration
• Set up and maintain deals in Sales & Rights Management systems (RPM); create Finance Release Packages in (S2F - Sales to Finance) and Materials Orders as required for deal management.
• Manage contractual obligations and ensure all deadlines are met as detailed in the contracts
• Draft simple contract drafts and amendments using standard templates, working with the Legal team when necessary
• Assist in deal execution, working closely with Sales and Legal on contract drafting, documentation and execution.
• Track the workflow of contract, amendment, notification processes for every deal, client schedules, availability lists and ad hoc reports
• Client Support: Develop an excellent working relationship with clients and attend external meetings as required to support Sales process. Liaise with clients on queries relating to deals e.g. billing discrepancies, servicing issues, US Network scheduling changes.
• Internal Relationships. Develop key internal relationships to facilitate smooth operations:
• Finance - to ensure customer checks are carried out, resolving invoicing/payment issues, and responding to audit queries
• DCS (Materials Fulfilment team) to ensure assets are delivered on time
• Ensure all Sales Planning Procedures are upheld by seeking appropriate reviews and Approvals
• Actively support system UAT and engage in the process of system development and enhancements

Sales Analysis & Title Inventory Management
• Support negotiations of new deals and renegotiations with proposal analysis, working closely with the Sales team, Sales Planning Manager and the Commercial Analysis team
• Analyse reports for available products and identify appropriate titles that meet client and sales criteria, and maximise the sales potential
• Window Management - Maximise window opportunities for all products
• Maintain Window Strategies for Franchise titles for local and Global Deals
• Utilise and engage in the development of new software tools e.g. Tableau

Forecasting & Planning
• Take ownership of ensuring all deals and data in RPM /S2F are accurate and up to date
• Maintain/update the annual and MRP (Mid Range Plan) forecasts in RPM; process changes promptly and keep the Sales Planning Manager and Sales Teams informed of updates regularly
• Provide variance analysis on product, deals and/or market assumptions to support Sales in preparing the forecast
• Create summaries and commentary for Sales & Finance within prescribed deadlines
• Attend and contribute to regular forecast review meetings with Sales, Planning and Finance teams

What you have:
• Educated to a minimum undergraduate degree level, preferably (but not required)
• Ideally 2-4 years' experience in TV Distribution or a similar environment
• Strong IT skills, in particular Excel (Pivot Tables & Formulae), and must be confident in learning new systems
• Fluency in English is essential
• Highly numerate with excellent attention to detail
• Problem Solving & Decision making – demonstrates an ability to address root causes of problems, identify alternatives and propose solutions.
• Able to use complex information to provide summaries with clear and meaningful insights
• Managing priorities and competing deadlines during busy periods
• Proactive and adaptable – anticipate needs in different situations and take appropriate action with guidance and on own initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player who is willing and able to assist colleagues

Sony Pictures does not allow audio recording, video recording or use of AI note-taking tools during interviews. Candidates requiring these tools as an accommodation during an interview should submit a reasonable adjustment request at the point they are invited to interview.

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