Forecasting Analyst

Lil' Drug Store Products; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Lil' Drug Store Products in Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks an experienced forecasting professional to develop and improve data-driven sales forecasts across item, channel, and customer levels, aligning with inventory and procurement needs.

You will collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations, analyze trends, seasonality, and promotions, and support SIOP processes while communicating forecast changes to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Operations/Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of four years related work experience required.
• Advanced working knowledge of sales forecasting and inventory management required.
• Experience with Microsoft ERP systems preferred.
• Experience leading projects and coordinating cross-functional teams in a manufacturing or operations environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Combines data analysis, business insights and cross-functional collaboration to improve forecast accuracy, optimize inventory levels, support financial planning, and drive better business decisions.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams by providing accurate forecasts that align with business goals and inform critical decision-making.
• Prepare and maintain item-level, customer-level and channel-level sales forecasts
• Analyze historical sales trends, seasonality, promotions, distribution gains/losses and market conditions
• Collaborate with sales team to complete accurate forecasts to be used by procurement
• Coordinate with operations team to build and adjust forecasting
• Support SIOP and integrated business planning processes through demand, supply, and inventory analysis
• Collect and examine information to create and substantiate forecast summaries with/for sales, marketing, and operations teams
• Compare forecasts to actuals, analyze variances, and report actionable insights
• Maintain forecast changes and updates in the system
• Work closely with sales, marketing, and category management teams to understand marketplace and utilize data to build forecasts
• Active participation in New Products meetings including offering input as needed
• Responsible for communicating, leading meetings on forecasting changes, and providing thoughts and insights
• Other duties as assigned

Job description

Purpose of the Job:

Responsible for developing, maintaining and improving data-driven forecasts that support strategic planning, operational efficiency, and resource allocation across the organization. Provides timely and actionable insights to help the organization anticipate change, minimize risk, and seize growth opportunities.

Reports To:

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Supervisory Responsibility

No

Essential Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Combines data analysis, business insights and cross-functional collaboration to improve forecast accuracy, optimize inventory levels, support financial planning, and drive better business decisions.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams by providing accurate forecasts that align with business goals and inform critical decision-making.
• Prepare and maintain item-level, customer-level and channel-level sales forecasts
• Analyze historical sales trends, seasonality, promotions, distribution gains/losses and market conditions
• Collaborate with sales team to complete accurate forecasts to be used by procurement
• Coordinate with operations team to build and adjust forecasting
• Support SIOP and integrated business planning processes through demand, supply, and inventory analysis
• Collect and examine information to create and substantiate forecast summaries with/for sales, marketing, and operations teams
• Compare forecasts to actuals, analyze variances, and report actionable insights
• Maintain forecast changes and updates in the system
• Work closely with sales, marketing, and category management teams to understand marketplace and utilize data to build forecasts
• Active participation in New Products meetings including offering input as needed
• Responsible for communicating, leading meetings on forecasting changes, and providing thoughts and insights
• Other duties as assigned

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Operations/Supply Chain, or related field preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of four years related work experience required
• Advanced working knowledge of sales forecasting and inventory management required
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required
• Experience analyzing large datasets required
• Experience with Microsoft ERP systems preferred
• Experience leading projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, or influencing others in a manufacturing or operations environment preferred
• Ethics, Integrity, Values: Ably builds trust, and is widely trusted. Supports the company vision and values.
• Detail Orientation/Quality Focus: Verifies all work. Recognizes and addresses flaws or errors others may overlook.
• Organization Skills: Attends to all details.
• Analytical Skills: Interprets and digests complex information while summarizing key findings.
• Results Focus/Output Orientation: Exhibits commitment to goals and consistently delivers results. Hold self and others accountable for performance.
• Communication: Confronts or asserts with strength, tact, and diplomacy. Is precise and concise with communication. Exerts influence over outcomes through trust and competence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds strong relationships to drive alignment and execution.
• Problem-Solving: Devises workable solutions or consults with secondary resources to devise solutions.
• Decision Making: Collaborates in decision making. Bases decisions on verified information, business acumen, and informed intuition in a timely manner.
• Research Skills/Information Finding: Identifies, sorts, and categorizes source materials to deliver most pertinent and needed information.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Maintains productivity in spite of changes.

Physical and Working Environment:

• Working Hours: General office hours, typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with flexibility for business and personal needs.
• Work usually performed in an office setting and distribution center with noise level typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.
• Tools and Equipment: Computer, tablet, e-mail, phone, and other standard office equipment.
• Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs on occasion; digital dexterity and hand/eye to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment. Ability to effectively communicate with customers, supplier, or employees remotely and in person; ability to travel by airplane or automobile.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.