Job Description

We are looking for a highly analytical Senior Demand Planning Analyst specializing in building relationships and driving forecast accuracy by working with sales, marketing, and revenue management to collaboratively create a demand forecast for assigned channels, customers, and products. The individual will gather key input from cross functional partners and challenge assumptions to drive improved forecast accuracy. This role leads meetings with BDMs and leads Channel Reviews in preparation for the Demand Commercial Meetings.

Forecasting & Analytics

• Lead the monthly Demand Planning Process using statical modeling, Shipment History, POS drivers, and competitive information.
• Lead consensus-driven forecasting process by aligning stakeholders, taking ownership of the demand plan for that channel, and leveraging strong relationships to challenge assumptions.
• Analyze and drive improvements in Forecast Accuracy and bias; developing corrective action plans and reporting methods for tracking.
• Work independently to create, monitor, and defend a driver-based forecast using ad hoc reporting from multiple data sources, identifying and illustrating pricing/promotion adjustments, distribution changes, inventory adjustments, and multiple year seasonality indicators.
• Develop forecasting tools/dashboards that provide accurate indicators of demand.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques and usage of large, complex data sets.
• Experience building flexible scenario-based planning models for what-if analysis.
• Champion of driver-base, analytics-driven forecasting.

Cross-Functional Experience

• Monitor and effectively communicate forecast changes to stakeholders on a regular basis. This includes exception reporting based on management expectations around tolerance levels.
• Support and provide key-input in the monthly (S&OP) business planning processes providing an objective and fact-based assessment of demand going forward and significant variances from previous forecasts.
• Collaborate with assigned Sales team members, Production, Pricing & Promotion team, and Marketing to ensure that on-going tactical plans (trade and customer events) and strategic initiatives (new product launch & transitions, etc.) are effectively integrated into the forecast.
• Responsible for building consensus utilizing the forecast process while ensuring cross functional accountability for the demand plan which includes challenging assumptions using professionalism and leadership competencies.
• Analyze ongoing demand by channel, customer and product to identify demand trends, and variances to improve the forecast and share the appropriate information with Sales, S&OP and Marketing teams.

Reporting

• Responsible for understanding and utilizing both internal and external data sources to ensure an accurate forecast (i.e. Production Schedule, Nielsen, IRI, and Scintilla/Retail Link).
• Work independently to create, monitor, and defend a driver-based forecast using ad hoc reporting from multiple data sources and risk analysis.

• Bachelors degree required, Masters Degree preferred in business, math/statistics, marketing or related field.
• 5-7 years experience in a demand planning role preferably in a CPG environment.
• 1-3 years experience with S&OP. Background with Demantra or other demand planning software.
• Prefer experience with partnering with large retail accounts in collaborative demand planning or CPFR.
• Solid knowledge of overall business planning processes to ensure decisions are based on being able to see the big picture of supporting company goals & objectives.
• Solid analytical and problem solving skills, strong communication skills both verbal & written, able to effectively use Excel using data from various sources, strong listening skills & comfortable interfacing with customers & sales teams
• The ability to show patience in high tension situations, able to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, strong teamwork & influencing ability, focus on detail and ability to mentor demand planners

Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis