Forecast Analyst

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The Forecast Analyst will be responsible for developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts that support company goals for forecast accuracy and effective business planning. The incumbent analyzes demand, point-of-sale, customer, and market information; coordinates forecast development with Sales and cross-functional partners; documents forecast assumptions; and responds to material forecast variances across the planning horizon.

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintains customer, account, and product-level forecasts across assigned portfolios.
• Analyzes demand, POS, sales, and business data to develop quantitative baseline projections.
• Collects, documents, and disseminates forecast intelligence, assumptions, and key demand drivers.
• Coordinates collaborative review of baseline projections with Sales management to develop forecasts that accurately reflect anticipated demand.
• Partners with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Operations to understand demand drivers and incorporate business intelligence into forecasts.
• Enters forecast adjustments and related assumptions accurately and within established planning timelines.
• Monitors forecast performance, demand trends, POS data, and forecast accuracy metrics; identifies significant variances and drives corrective actions to improve forecast quality and achieve forecast accuracy objectives
• Prepares forecast commentary, analysis, and recommendations for recurring demand reviews, business planning discussions, and leadership reporting.
• Supports Annual Operating Plan (AOP), budget, and long-range forecasting activities.
• Supports SI&OP reporting, analytics, business intelligence, data management, automation, AI adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives, including development and maintenance of reporting tools and analytical solutions.
• Provides demand analysis and forecasting support for high-risk products, including new products, strategic products, long lead-time items, and product categories with elevated forecast variability.
• Leverages forecasting tools, reporting systems, analytics platforms, automation tools, and AI-enabled technologies to improve forecasting efficiency and effectiveness.
• Conducts and participates in meetings, special research, data analysis, continuous improvement initiatives, and other projects as approved or assigned.
• Assists in promoting individual and organizational learning regarding forecasting assumptions, forecasting performance, and forecasting best practices.
• Supports efforts to recruit, coach, train, and develop team resources.
• Promotes teamwork within the department and across functions while building and strengthening internal and external business relationships.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Ability to work well with others
• Advanced data analysis, statistics, trend analysis, regression, and statistical forecasting skills
• Proficiency with Excel, SQL, Power BI, and other business intelligence or reporting tools
• Detail-oriented, organized, and trustworthy
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Problem solving skills
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Ability to communicate at all levels within the business including various levels of management and all applicable departments about demand and supply trends, expectations, and issues

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Statistics, or related field, from an accredited university, or 2-4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Prior demand forecasting, data analysis, customer collaboration, and process improvement experience preferred.

Physical and Safety Requirements:

• Sedentary: Typically, the associate may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• Everyday Risks: Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.