Sr. Strawberry Forecast Manager

About the Opportunity

The Sr. Strawberry Forecast Manager is responsible for leading Driscoll's supply forecasting efforts for strawberries. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring accurate supply forecasts and driving alignment across key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include conducting data analysis, developing and refining forecasting processes and deliverables, gathering field data, facilitating infield training, and supporting the execution of operational plans. The role also provides critical contributions to the annual operating plan and publishes short- and long-range forecasts for strawberry supply.
As the primary point of contact for commercial supply information, this role supports Sales, Inventory Planning, and Plan Execution while delivering valuable insights into volume expectations. The Sr. Strawberry Forecast Manager plays a pivotal role in accurately signaling the organization's supply outlook and ensuring effective, timely communication when deviations occur, enabling Driscoll's to deliver exceptional service to stakeholders.
Success in this role requires fostering strong cross-functional relationships with District Production Teams, Supply Planning, S&OP, Sales, Demand Management, and Product Leadership. Building and maintaining alignment across these teams is essential to meet both immediate and long-term supply planning needs.
This is a high-visibility role with significant organizational impact. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, highly organized, and technically adept, leveraging data to drive insights and results. They should also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and excel in proactively managing information and addressing risks that may affect strawberry supply volumes.

 Responsibilities

Forecasting Leadership

• Develops and manages DOTA-wide supply forecasting processes and tools, ensuring accuracy and adherence.
• Leads strawberry forecasting efforts as the subject matter expert.
• Provides timely forecast volumes, communicates supply changes, and rationalizes deviations.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Communication

• Serves as a key participant on Berry Execution Teams and liaises with districts on production and forecasting.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve processes and ensure aligned assumptions.
• Leads meetings to address supply issues and provides training to enhance forecast accuracy.

Data Analysis and Process Improvement

• Leads Daily and Weekly Forecast Process and Submissions
• Reviews district forecasts (daily and weekly) to manage variability and drive solutions.
• Formulates assumptions, identifies key drivers, and leads quarterly reforecasting.
• Advances tools, technology, and processes to improve forecasting and supply management.

Strategic Supply Planning

• Leads annual supply planning, validating and executing strategies.
• Supports the creation of the DOTA supply plan, focusing on budgeting and alignment.
• Engages in GIS mapping for forecasting and supply visibility.

Knowledge and Industry Expertise

• Maintains expertise in forecasting methodologies and industry trends.
• Facilitates knowledge transfer across districts and teams to enhance practices.
• Supports genetic launches and plant order processes within DOTA.
• National and District Representation
• Acts as the national liaison to districts, delivering supply variance analysis and fostering alignment.

Candidate Profile

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ years of analytical production planning or forecasting experience preferred.
• Berry production or fieldwork experience is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint required; Anaplan knowledge preferred.
• Familiarity with Visio, Access, Tableau, ESRI; SQL, Python, and Machine Learning a plus.
• Strong math, analytical, and reasoning skills required.

Communication and Leadership

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present clear, concise data insights.
• Proven ability to lead process improvements and work independently or collaboratively.
• Skilled in building trust-based relationships and managing within a matrixed environment.

Competencies

• High-energy, results-driven self-starter with a focus on innovation and urgency.
• Strategic thinker with strong multitasking abilities in fast-paced settings.
• Culturally aware, empathetic, and adept at conflict resolution.

Other Requirements

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred.
• Willing to travel internationally (U.S., South America, Mexico); valid passport required.
• California driver’s license and eligibility to operate company vehicles insurance required.

Compensation & Benefits:

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors. 

Salary range estimated for this role is: $103,400 to 132,600 USD.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.