Head of Demand & Forecasting

RAC; Walsall; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Owning It Together Colleague Share Sch

RAC Ultimate Breakdown Service

Car salary sacrifice scheme

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Discount portal – Orange Savings

Employer-matched pension

Job summary

RAC is seeking a Demand Forecasting Product Owner to shape operational performance, financial planning, and executive decision making. You will lead a forecasting capability spanning Data Science and Operations, serving SLT, the Executive Committee, and the CEO.

Based at a hybrid site (Bescot or Bristol), you will own the Group Operational Forecast, deliver improvements, and communicate insights to senior leadership with clarity and impact.

Qualifications

• Expertise in forecasting, time series modelling, statistical inference, and model evaluation.
• Experience applying advanced techniques to commercial decision making.
• Strong understanding of data engineering, data structures, and data quality principles.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Group Operational Forecast with accuracy, credibility, resilience, and real operational value.
• Lead a Forecasting Improvement Programme delivering rapid, measurable gains in accuracy, stability, and transparency.
• Provide weekly narrative and insight to the Executive Team and CEO, explaining movements, risks, and actions required.
• Bridge between Data Science and Operations, translating model behaviour into actionable operational insight.
• Own the forecasting product roadmap, prioritising sprint-based enhancements with Data Science, Technology, and Operations teams.
• Establish robust model governance including explainability, diagnostics, validation, stress testing, and change control.
• Align short-, medium-, and long-term forecasts into a single coherent forecasting story across the organisation.
• Strengthen data quality, controls, and end-to-end forecasting processes.
• Influence at senior level, positioning forecasting as a strategic capability rather than a technical process.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing forecasting team.

Skills

Forecasting

Time series modelling

Statistical inference

Model evaluation

Advanced techniques

Data engineering

Data quality

Product ownership

Communication

Job description

About The Role

RAC are on the lookout for aDemand Forecasting Product Ownerwho willdirectly shapeoperational performance, financial planning, and executivedecision making.You will sit at the heart of the organisation,bringingforecastingauthority&leadership, and executive influencetoa forecasting capability trusted by SLT, the Executive Committee, and the CEO.

As Demand Forecasting Product Owner, you will lead a critical capability at the heart of ahigh volume, fastmoving organisation. The forecasts you owndeterminehow the business plans, how it deploys resources, how it protects margin, andmost importantlyhowweconsistently meet customer demand.

You’lllead a team of specialists and act as the bridge betweenData Science and Operations, ensuring forecasts are not only methodologically robust, but transparent, actionable, and trulydecision ready.

BasedfromourBescotorBristolsite – this is a hybrid working role.

Whatyou’lldo

• Own and continuously evolve the Group Operational Forecast, ensuring accuracy, credibility, resilience, and real operational value.

• Lead a Forecasting Improvement Programme, delivering rapid, measurable gains in accuracy, stability, and transparency.

• Provide clear, confident weekly narrative and insight to the Executive Team and CEO, explaining movements, risks, and required actions.

• Act as theday-to-dayconduit between Data Science and Operations, translating complex model behaviour into operational insight.

• Own the forecasting product roadmap, prioritisingsprint-basedenhancements with Data Science, Technology, and Operations teams.

• Establish robust model governance, including explainability, diagnostics, validation, stress testing, and change control.

• Align short-, medium-, and long-termforecasts, creating a single, coherent forecasting story across the organisation.

• Strengthen data quality, controls, andend to endforecasting processes, reducing manualinterventionand increasing trust.

• Influence and challenge atasenior level, ensuring forecasting is recognised as a strategic capability, not a technical process.

• Lead, coach, and develop ahigh performingteam of forecasting specialists.

Whatyou’llbring

Technicalexpertise

• Deep specialist knowledge of forecasting, timeseries modelling, statistical inference, and model evaluation.

• Experienceof applyingadvanced techniquestocommercial decision making.

• Strong understanding of data engineering, data structures, and data quality principles.

Leadership & influence

• Exceptional communication skills-able to turn complexity into clear, compelling insight.

• A strong product ownership mindset, balancing prioritisation, pace, and outcomes.

Delivery & ownership

• A track recordof delivering material improvements to forecasting models or analytical products.

• Comfortable operating at pace while balancingshort termfixes andlong termcapability uplift.

As aDemand Forecasting Product Ownerat RAC,you’llget benefits that go the extra mile

• Earnings That Motivate – enjoy a competitive salary plus automatic enrolment in our ‘Owning It Together’ Colleague Share Scheme - a unique opportunity to share in RAC’s future success and be rewarded for the exceptional work you deliver.

• Tools to Drive Your Future – get started with a free RAC Ultimate Complete Breakdown Service from day one, plus access to a car salary sacrifice scheme (including electric vehicle options) after 12 months, delivering serious tax savings.

• Time Off That Matters – enjoy 25 days annual lave, plus bank holidays. We also support work-life balance with paid family leave, flexible schedules, and practical resources to help navigate personal commitments.

• Financial Security & Perks – pension scheme with up to 6.5% matched contributions alongside life assurance cover up to 4x salary (10x optional with flex benefits), designed to support you long-term.

• Wellbeing That Works for You – our 24/7 confidential support service is available to you and household members aged 16+, offering reassurance whenever you need it.

• Extras That Make a Difference - access Orange Savings, our exclusive discount portal with deals across top retailers, holidays, tools, tech and more. After passing probation,you’llautomatically join our Colleague Share Scheme, giving you a stake in our collective success.

Why RAC?

For more than 128 years,we’vebeen keeping drivers moving, and todaywe’retrusted by over 15 million members.We’realso trusted by our people, with a 4.5-starGlassdoorrating showing that RAC is a place where support, ambition, and opportunity go hand in hand.

We welcome people from every background, value every voice, and back your growth every step of the way. At the RAC, you can bring your full self toworkandwe’llbe with you every step of the way to help you grow and develop your career.