Sales Demand Forecast Analyst

The Sales Demand Forecast Analyst is a heads-down quantitative analyst responsible for statistical model performance, baseline tuning, and accuracy diagnostics within our Blue Yonder, Luminate Demand Edge (LDE) forecasting platform. Working at the intersection of data and retail execution, this role focuses on systematically triaging forecast questions, validating underlying statistical logic, and ensuring baseline outputs hit our 95% Forecast Accuracy target.

This role is dedicated to resolving day-to-day model variances-determining whether discrepancies stem from technical coding/data bugs or require model parameter adjustments while also building long-term strategic frameworks. The Analyst partners closely with internal merchandising planners as well as external Blue Yonder analysts to explain forecast behavior, isolate root causes, and transition the team to an efficient, exception-based planning process.

This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL offices with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

• Calibrate Algorithms: Continuously audit and tune statistical models within Blue Yonder LDE to achieve and sustain the enterprise benchmark of 95% Forecast Accuracy.
• Partner with BY Analysts: Work directly with vendor analysts to understand model mechanics, isolate calculation roots, and determine the exact system levers needed to adjust baseline outputs.
• Integrate Causal Drivers: Analyze historical sales trends to mathematically incorporate business variables - such as price elasticity, marketing lifts, and promotional shifts - into baseline models.
• Root-Cause Error Diagnostics: Perform quantitative deep dives on high-variance outliers to systematically eliminate chronic positive or negative forecast bias.

• Root-Cause Issue Triaging: Serve as the primary technical triage point when users challenge forecast outputs. Methodically determine if discrepancies are:

• Coding/Data Issues: Data feed breaks, pipeline bugs, or system coding errors (escalating clear technical context to IT/BI).
• Forecast/Model Issues: Model drift, missing promotional context, or display dynamics requiring parameter tuning.

• Forecast Explainability: Translate complex algorithmic outputs into plain business logic so non-technical stakeholders understand why the model generated a specific forecast.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Methodical approach to isolating technical bugs versus statistical anomalies, with a proven ability to explain math in clear business terms.

• Experience &
  
  Education:
  
  2-4+ years of hands-on experience in demand forecasting, statistical sales modeling, or business analytics within a retail, e-commerce, or CPG setting. Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field preferred.
• Platform Expertise: Direct operational experience with enterprise demand systems (Blue Yonder / JDA Demand strongly preferred; Luminate Demand Edge experience is a distinct advantage).
• Data & Tool Fluency: Strong proficiency in SQL for querying and data pipeline validation. Working knowledge of Python or R for advanced statistical analysis and anomaly detection is highly preferred.