Demand Forecast & Analytics Specialist

Position Summary: The Demand Forecast & Analytics Specialist is responsible for leading the organization’s demand forecasting strategy and driving forecasting excellence across the supply chain. This role owns the development, governance, and continuous improvement of forecasting models, demand planning processes, and the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) demand review.

The analyst leverages advanced analytics, market intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration to produce highly reliable demand forecasts that support strategic decision-making, production planning, and inventory optimization. In addition to generating forecasts, this role acts as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor, identifying demand risks, scenario planning opportunities, and long-term demand trends.

The successful incumbent works closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Production Planning, Procurement, and Executive Leadership to align business strategy with supply chain capabilities. This position also plays a key role in improving forecasting systems, implementing advanced analytics tools, and building scalable forecasting frameworks that enhance supply chain resilience and operational efficiency.

• Own the end-to-end demand forecasting process and ensure alignment with corporate supply chain strategy.
• Lead development of short-term, mid-term, and long-term demand forecasts using statistical models, machine learning tools, and business intelligence inputs.
• Establish forecasting governance, standards, and best practices across product lines and markets.
• Identify structural demand drivers such as market growth, product lifecycle changes, pricing shifts, and macroeconomic indicators.
• Lead demand scenario modeling and risk analysis to support strategic planning and supply chain resilience.
• Act as the organization’s forecasting subject matter expert, providing guidance and mentorship to junior analysts.

• Develop and implement advanced forecasting models, including time-series, regression, and predictive analytics techniques.
• Analyze complex datasets from ERP, CRM, POS, and external market data sources to uncover demand signals and trends.
• Track forecast accuracy metrics such as MAPE, bias, and forecast value add (FVA) and lead initiatives to improve performance.
• Design executive-level dashboards and demand analytics reports to support business decision-making.
• Identify demand variability drivers and recommend strategies to mitigate volatility.
• Lead the Demand Review portion of the S&OP process, ensuring alignment between sales forecasts and operational capacity.
• Facilitate cross-functional demand consensus meetings with Sales, Finance, and Operations.
• Translate demand forecasts into actionable planning signals for production, procurement, and inventory management.
• Provide strategic recommendations during S&OP and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) meetings.

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to incorporate promotions, pricing strategies, product launches, and customer insights into the forecast.
• Collaborate with Production Planning and Inventory teams to balance service levels, production capacity, and working capital.
• Work with Procurement to anticipate material requirements and supply risks.
• Support Finance with demand-driven revenue projections and scenario analysis.

• Lead initiatives to modernize forecasting tools, analytics platforms, and planning processes.
• Support implementation or optimization of ERP/MRP and demand planning software.
• Develop forecasting playbooks, SOPs, and training materials for demand planning teams.
• Identify opportunities for automation and digital transformation in forecasting and reporting processes.
• Conduct root-cause analysis of forecast deviations and implement corrective improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, Economics, or related field.
• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Data Science, Business…