Manager, Demand Planning Analytics

At Ferrara, Ferrero, Fox’s Burton’s, and The Fine Biscuits Company, we’re loved by people of all generations for the joy we bring—and that joy is crafted by our people. Join us and explore a whole world to discover, where your passion will find its place.

Today, Ferrara is the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of over 9,000 employees around the world who deliver and create hundreds of iconic and beloved products.

In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands like NERDS®, Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli®. In Brazil, Dori has become a household name with snacking products that include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. And, in France, Carambar & Co have earned generations of loyal customers through the timeless appeal of iconic candy and chocolate brands such as Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry’s.

A privately held company, Ferrara Group is headquartered in Chicago. Ferrara boasts a network of over 30 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

This position will be responsible for developing and leading advanced statistical and predictive modeling capabilities to enhance forecast accuracy and support data-driven decision-making across the organization. This role oversees the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of demand planning analytics within SAP IBP, ensuring models and insights are effectively translated into actionable business strategies.

The manager will lead a team of analysts, partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders, and drive the integration of analytical insights into planning and operational processes. Success in this role requires a balance of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to align analytical innovation with business value and long-term growth.

• Develop and lead statistical demand planning within SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) including building, maintaining, and evolving predictive models and statistical forecasting methods.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights, identify trends, and address forecasting challenges that improve forecast accuracy and business performance.
• Apply analytical rigor and advanced statistical techniques including predictive modeling, time series forecasting, and segmentation analysis to drive demand forecasting improvements.
• Develop training materials and documentation to upskill demand planners on statistical and predictive modeling capabilities in SAP IBP.
• Ensure analytical insights are seamlessly integrated into business processes and decision-making before selecting or building technical solutions.
• Lead research and implementation of emerging data science techniques and new technologies to enhance forecasting accuracy and end-to-end supply chain performance.
• Partner with technical and business stakeholders to identify and deliver technology-driven opportunities that provide measurable business value.
• Create and continuously improve analytical outputs, including forecasts, dashboards, reports, and insights for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Establish and track KPIs for forecast accuracy, model performance, and adoption, ensuring continuous improvement and measurable ROI on analytics initiatives.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration, acting as a subject matter expert on advanced forecasting methods and their application within business operations.
• Manage and develop a team of demand planning analysts, setting priorities and building analytical capabilities.

• Integrity – holds themself to meet…