Position Purpose:The individual in this position is responsible for creating and maintaining a item level forecast utilizing sales assumptions, historical analysis, statistical modeling, market trends, and thorough collaboration & consensus across sales, brand and finance teams. The focus will be on maximizing product availability, supporting Lindt & Sprungli's growth initiatives, and help to achieve financial goals while minimizing destruction & discounts. This role has a focus on leveraging advanced analytics, historical data and forecasting models to improve forecast accuracy, reduce bias and support business planning processes. To be effective in this cross functional role, the individual must be comfortable working cross functionally with sales, operations, production planning, marketing and customer service as well as presenting and communicating across various levels of the organization.
This is a hybrid role that requires three days per week in our Stratham, NH corporate office.
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:Everyday Item Forecasting- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve statistical forecasting models using historical sales data, seasonality and market trends.
- Generate baseline forecasts using tools such as time series models.
- Partner with the sales team to build item level forecasts, providing recommendations & supporting analysis based on statistics, history, turns, cannibalization, etc.
- Maintain source of growth assumptions and document monthly changes to the forecast to communicate as needed and present at a demand review meeting.
- Monitor forecast accuracy, bias, and forecast value add; translate results into improvement actions.
- Continuous improvement within process to help reduce forecast error and bias (data integrity, reporting capabilities, ad hoc analysis, cross functional communication).
New Item Introduction - Liaise with sales and marketing on new item introductions & planogram updates, recommend volume & Gross Sales (GTS) for pipeline assumptions, turns & phasing, aligning with sales manager to drive appropriate supply signals
- Work cross functionally with internal departments to incorporate cuts, POS, market data, IRI & other factors for forecast & future projections of new items
- Provide item level forecasting support to the Brand planning team as needed
S&OE - Run S&OE meetings for assigned brands to ensure smooth execution of demand plan and variances to plan across supply chain.
- Manage and communicate the risks and opportunities for assigned product lines, ensure the organization is aware of potential volume impacts to the operational plan and decision timing.
Qualifications & Requirements:Skills & Knowledge:- Strong knowledge of statistical forecasting techniques (time series analysis, regression, machine learning models).
- Strong Excel skills
- Robust communication and demonstrated system skills required.
- Cognos or BI skills
- Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and internal client service orientation
- Sound analytical skills and ability to mine & interpret data, resolve abnormalities and make decisions & drive for action
- Ability to present information to facilitate consensus & motivate others
Education:- Bachelor's degree required
- APICS, IBF or similar certification preferred
Total Rewards:Compensation Range: $81k - $105kApplicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The company will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.Lindt USA's salary range reflects market rates based on our size, revenue, and location. Starting pay is determined using a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, job-related skills, knowledge, and experience as well as market conditions. A bonus and/or long-term incentive may be included as part of this compensation package. 
