Demand Forecasting:
Develop and maintain reliable and accurate short-term and long-term demand forecasts (up to 12+ months) based on historical sales data, promotions, seasonality, and market intelligence, integrated with robust statistical analysis and business intelligence aligned with best practices defined by the Demand Planning Manager
Leverage best demand planning practices and strategic forecasting methodologies within the planning and replenishment system to continuously prove forecast accuracy
Collaborate with commercial, marketing, finance, and supply chain teams to gather essential input, and incorporate feedback into the demand forecast to drive consensus and alignment across the organization
Utilize advanced forecasting tools and techniques to improve forecast accuracy and reliability across various time intervals, including identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies in historical data
Monitoring and adjust SKU forecasts to reflect changes in market conditions, product lifecycle stages, and evolving business priorities
Conduct weekly and monthly forecast accuracy analysis and exception reviews to proactively identify adjustments, highlight key variances, and maintain the integrity of the demand plan
Functional Activities:
Track and report on forecast accuracy and bias at the SKU, category, and brand level, monitoring demand patterns and highlighting exceptions requiring cross-functional review
Collaborate closely with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely replenishment and inventory alignment with forecasted demand, highlighting sales risk.
Participate in brand and category business reviews, bringing visibility into the demand plan forward looking projections
Execute new product introduction forecasting and discontinuation (product lifecycle) processes within the planning and replenishment tool
Data Analysis and Reporting:
Analyze demand patterns, market trends, and customer behaviors to identify potential risks and opportunities
Track and report on demand planning KPIs, such as forecast accuracy and bias
Maintain and update relevant demand planning master data within the planning and replenishment system of record
Use data-driven insights to recommend actions and strategies to improve demand planning processes and drive category and brand strategy, and execute these actions within planning and replenishment tools
Process Improvement:
Serve as a business user Subject Matter Expert (SME) for demand planning systems and tools
Identify opportunities to improve forecasting models, automate reporting, and enhance process efficiency
Contribute to process standardization and best-practice sharing within the demand planning function
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams to gather inputs, validate assumptions, and align forecasts with business strategies
Partner with category and brand managers as well as suppliers to understand promotional activities, new product launches, and supply constraints
Support the Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process by participating in regular meetings with key stakeholders to review demand forecasts, inventory status, market dynamics, and providing accurate data and scenario analyses
