Forecasting Specialist - Walmart

The Sales Planning & Analytics team partners with internal and external partners to plan & execute future sales demand. We are focused on identifying weekly POS trends and seasonality to predict future performance. Additionally, we provide a consumption based ship and order plan to ensure we can support consumer demand  part of this, we are also involved in end to end commercial execution;

helping drive order management, transportation, and omni channel performance.

Mattel is currently seeking a Specialist to lead the forecasting and planning for a top retailer. This role will be a member of a dynamic team focused on collaborative sales forecasting and inventory management. The S.P.A. Specialist will be instrumental in supporting both the Sales team and the customer inventory and planning teams in areas of forecasting, planning, and order fulfillment.

• Serves as subject matter expert (SME) on assigned account and brands.
• Forecasting capabilities – Lead the analysis of sales trends to improve weekly item level POS projections. Own and align these plans with internal stake holders and retail partners to ensure we have a collaborative plan at retail.
• Determine appropriate model for evaluating item level forecasts and analysis, considering information such as total end consumer consumption forecasts, brand/product history, history of similar comparable brands/products, inventory levels and marketing programs.
• Consumption analysis – Determine a weekly shipping plan by item, by channel, to support POS plans, retailer in-stock and future order needs.
• Create product flow pattern based on criteria such as seasonality profiles, planned promotions, distribution and price point.
• Attend internal consensus meetings to present and share understanding of POS demand forecasts, provide key data findings to cross-functional S&OP teams to reach a consensus forecast on a month to month basis.
• Actively participate alongside Mattel sales team in key collaborative forecasting meetings with Buyers and Replenishment Managers. Present business findings and recommend action plan for the season.
• Deliver store in-stock metrics by influencing the end-to-end order process including order creation, reviewing daily orders, maintaining perfect PO’s, and optimizing fill rate.
• Direct the execution of our Direct Import business out of Asia, partnering closely with the Customer Service team in our Hong Kong office.

• Key Characteristics
  • Strong Analytical Skills – ability to coordinate diverse information, identify relevant data, recommend and implement corrective actions
  • Solid Interpersonal and Communication Skills – ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels and all functional areas, ability to understand, assess and present the viewpoints of others
  • Sound Business Judgment – ability to interpret issues and recommend actions to best support group, division and corporate goals
  • Process Oriented - Ability to identify and address process improvements and share expertise with others
• Basic Qualifications
  • Proficient in MS Office, Excel Power User
  • Direct forecasting experience planning in a highly seasonal environment with long lead times
  • Extensive experience in analyzing large data sets, blending data from a variety of sources, conducting own analysis and compiling into an effective actionable summarized report to facilitate decision making & strategic planning.
  • Knowledge of demand forecasting tools and cross functional forecasting processes (JDA, SAP, Demantra, Anaplan etc.)
  • Have at least 5+ years relevant experience in sales analysis or merchandise buying/planning
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in CPG or retail
  • Experience with PowerBI, Alteryx, Big…