Analyst Demand Planning

Food Lion; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Lion is seeking a Business Expert to develop and manage the Demand Management System's forecasting capabilities (Relex). You will guide strategic demand planning and align forecasts with brand strategies, inventory targets, and supply chain objectives.

You will collect, merge, and share information to create a unified demand forecast, applying industry methods and root cause analysis to improve forecast accuracy and drive sales growth. Occasional travel to locations may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Mathematics, Economics, SCM, Logistics, IT or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in demand planning or forecasting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Own Demand Management System forecast accuracy and inventory targets.
• Maintain data integrity in the Demand Management System for forecasting.
• Create short, medium, and long term forecasts and improve item level accuracy.
• Perform exception-based analysis to identify drivers of forecast variance.
• Coordinate with Fresh Category Leadership and Supply Chain to shape long term strategies.

Skills

Forecasting expertise

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Inventory optimization

On-call rotation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Economics, SCM, Logistics, IT or related field

Tools

Tableau

Alteryx

ERP systems

Job description

Category/Area of Expertise: Merchandising

Job Requisition: 555862

Address: USA-NC-Salisbury-2110 Executive Drive

Store Code: FL Deli/Bake/HMS Category COS (2762674)

At Food Lion, Associates are the most important assets to our organization. We want associates to have meaningful careers full of variety and challenges. Each associate contributes to the overall success of Food Lion, and in return, we strive to provide all associates with a fulfilling work experience and reward performance and commitment. We are committed to the professional development of our associates through on-the-job learning opportunities and training.

Position Summary

Business expert to develop, implement, and manage Demand Management System's (Relex) forecasting capabilities. Provides guidance and acts as a key contributor for strategic demand planning practices that support our banner brand strategies, inventory targets and collective supply chain objectives. Collects, merges and shares pertinent information to create a single unified demand forecast within the Demand Management system. Applies seasoned in depth knowledge of industry forecasting processes and methods. Identifies drivers through root because analysis of forecast variances quantifies and implements updates to complex forecasting systems and processes. Utilizes exception based analysis and forecast accuracy results to drive sales growth, maximize inventory investment and drive business process improvement.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall Demand Management System forecast accuracy and inventory management that delivers on key performance established by the brand
• Responsible for ensuring accurate identification, entry and maintenance of data within the Demand Management System that enables forecasting accuracy that meets established targets
• Utilize Demand Management System to measure, analyze, and create short, medium, and long term forecasts, while maximizing item level forecast accuracy to drive supply chain optimization and meet established targets
• Execute exception based analysis to identify drivers in forecast error variances, with an aggressive approach to quantify and implement changes to improve forecasting and replenishment within Demand Management System
• Analyze and execute Demand Management System processes for new items, along with store and market events
• In close collaboration with the Super Users maintain and execute system enhancements and the functional expansion of Demand Management System capabilities
• Partner with Fresh Category Leadership and Supply Chain Leadership to provide forecast analysis with influence to the long term strategies
• Provides seasoned forecasting expertise to the various business areas within the company
• Maintain a 24/7 on call rotation with peers and Super Users
• Occasional travel to brand retail locations and distribution centers for research or specific initiatives
• Partnering closely with the Buyers the DPA supports to help translate extensive product knowledge into appropriate system actions
• Coordinate and provide leadership in growth projects within the organization
• Work closely with the Super Users on modifications of business rules, system regression testing along with optimization models including truck building and economic order quantities
• Organize and manage weekly and monthly demand consensus meetings with fresh category teams in support of establishing a Sales and Operations Planning Process

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience in Mathematics, Economics, SCM, Logistics, IT or other relevant subject expertise
• Mature level of knowledge for company, business and industry practices
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite of Program

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in demand planning or forecasting
• APICS, IBF or MIT certification preferable
• Proficiency in working within a cloud based system and ERP integration
• In depth knowledge of industry forecasting processes and methods
• Experience with IT development and road map development
• Experience with IT User Acceptance Testing process
• Working knowledge of Tableau and Alteryx systems

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience in Mathematics, Economics, SCM, Logistics, IT or other relevant subject expertise

Experience

• 1 to 3 years of experience in, category, pricing, logistics, supply chain, procurement, or distribution
• 3 to 5 years of experience in demand planning or forecasting
• Experience with IT development and road map development