Business Planning Analyst

I-CAR; Illinois; Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Business Planning Analyst to enhance demand forecasting models. This role combines statistical knowledge with data analytics to support the Sales and Operations Planning process. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Operations Team, ensuring accurate demand forecasts and effective communication of risks and opportunities. This position offers flexibility with remote work and occasional travel to headquarters, making it a fantastic opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in a growing organization. If you have a passion for data analysis and demand planning, this could be the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of data analysis experience required.
• Strong knowledge of demand planning and logistical controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate demand forecasts to support sales planning.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies for forecasts.
• Collaborate with teams to improve demand forecast accuracy.

Skills

Data Analysis

Demand Planning

Statistical Knowledge

Communication Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Data Mining

Logistical Controls

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business

Tools

Salesforce

Workday

Adaptive Insights

Business Intelligence Software

Job description

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is a growing, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the automotive collision repair industry globally. The organization was established by representatives of the collision repair, automotive, and insurance industries in 1979 and has doubled its revenue over the last six years.

Today, the I-CAR brand is stronger than it has been in 40 years of operation and has gained a worldwide reputation. There is momentum and excitement among its committed workforce, instructors and volunteers to continue to help the organization grow and expand its breadth of reach and scale. I-CAR leadership believes that the future of the organization will be importantly influenced by its continuing innovation and relevance of its products, technical programs and services.

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for development, maintenance, and execution of I-CAR’s demand forecasting models. An ideal candidate possesses a strong combination of statistical knowledge and experience in sales forecasting, and data analytics. This individual will act as the primary liaison for the Operations Team to strengthen the Sales and Operations planning functions of the organization. The Business Planning Analyst will complete all work under the direction of the Manager, Business Operations.

This position will be primarily remote but will entail occasional travel to our headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Travel will average approximately 15% annually.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Sales Team members to develop accurate and timely demand forecasts that support the I-CAR Sales and Operations Planning process.
• Monitor new product launch requirements and align to demand planning processes.
• Communicate product demand related risks and opportunities to management and leadership teams.
• Identify demand forecast risks and develop effective and flexible mitigation strategies.
• Work cross-functionally to accurately reflect recent trends and achieve continuous improvement in demand forecast accuracy, and other demand planning measures.
• Manage and execute various ad-hoc project requests.

Skills and Aptitudes:

• Conduct extensive analysis for company demand planning.
• Detail-oriented individual who will take initiative to recommend process improvements.
• Deadline focused individual who will complete assignments accurately in the required timeframe.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of demand planning and logistical controls are required.
• Experience with data mining and working with large data sets.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate findings from the analysis to others.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills are mandatory.
• Access, and business intelligence software skills are highly desired.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or appropriate field required.
• 3 – 5 years of data analysis experience required.
• Preferred Experience in Salesforce, Salesforce Planning, Workday and Adaptive Insights.

EEO Statement:

I-CAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. Those with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.