Forecast Analyst

Simmons Foods; Gentry (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Foods is seeking a Forecasting Analyst to deliver data insights for Demand Planning and S&OP, developing a monthly SKU forecast and driving best-fit plans using historical, customer and market data.

You will maintain statistical models, create dashboards, and collaborate with the team to align plans with company goals while improving processes and reporting for executives and internal customers.

Qualifications

• 1-5 years in forecast generation and analysis or modeling.
• Strong background in mathematics and ability to utilize algorithms for a rolling 24-month SKU level forecast.
• Ability to present hypothesis-based analytics to diverse audiences including peers, management, and executives.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Tableau, Alteryx, JDE, CRM, Access and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Delivers data insights to Demand Planning and Sales & Operations Planning functions.
• Develops and maintains a monthly SKU level forecast; builds statistical models using historical, customer, and market data.
• Maintains and improves statistical modeling processes and tools to generate an accurate plan.
• Works with the Demand Planning team and other functions to ensure planning consistency across the organization.
• Provides analytics and proactive demand signal information to internal data customers.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

Statistics

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in statistics or related mathematics

Tools

Tableau

Alteryx

JDE

CRM

Access

Microsoft Office

Job description

Delivers data insights to the Demand Planning and Sales and Operations Planning functions, improving the quality, speed, and efficiency of the various plan, metrics, and analysis that comes out of those processes.

Essential Position Responsibilities- This Is a Salary Exempt Position.

Develops and maintains a monthly sku level forecast. Develops statistical models utilizing historical, customer, and market data to provide the best fit plan for the business unit. Maintains and improves statistical modeling processes and tools to generate an accurate plan to be consumed by the organization. Works within the demand planning team and other business functions to ensure the planning process is consistent across the organization.

Provides comprehensive analytics to internal customers. Provides analytic support and proactive demand signal information to the Demand Planning team and other internal data customers as directed. Maintains current and develops new data sets and dashboards for the analysis and reporting of metrics, to support a deeper understanding of the current and future state of the business.

Works closely with the Demand Planner and peer analysts. Collaboratively works with peers and leadership on a daily and weekly basis to ensure the integration of the demand and supply plans and alignment with company goals and directives. Ensures assigned portion of the overall integrated plan is within tolerance of established metrics.

Participates in the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process. Generates statistical based “best fit” plan as an input to the demand plan portion of the process. Builds and presents portions of the S&OP plan to the Demand Planning team for integration into the company-wide S&OP plan. Validates that current and proposed plans are aligned with the strategic direction of the organization.

Drives continuous improvement in planning and process design. Maintains documentation for current forecast generation and supporting processes. Develops and proposes process improvements and other updates to continually evolve the process within the organization.

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Technical Experience: 1-5 years in forecast generation and analysis or modeling. Must have a strong background in mathematics and ability to utilize algorithms needed to develop a valid forecast for a rolling 24 month period at sku level. Capable of using statistical models to run analysis between multiple plans and inputs to determine best fit. Able to present hypothesis based analytics to a diverse audience including peers, management, and executives. Must be able to utilize data analysis tools such as: Tableau, Alteryx, JDE, CRM, Access, as well as the Microsoft Office set of tools that will have a direct overlap with the skills needed for this position.

Industry Experience: Preference for pet food or food processing organization.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in statistics or related mathematics field, or 4 years related work experience.

Preferred Education: Related Master’s Degree. Formal training and certification in Tableau or Alteryx.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.