Mattel

Forecasting Specialist - Walmart

Mattel$80K — $110K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in sales analysis or merchandise buying/planning
  • Proficient in MS Office, Excel Power User
  • Direct forecasting experience in a highly seasonal environment
  • Extensive skills in analyzing large data sets and creating actionable reports
  • Knowledge of demand forecasting tools and cross-functional processes (e.g., JDA, SAP)

Responsibilities

  • Serve as subject matter expert on assigned accounts and brands
  • Lead the analysis of sales trends for item level POS forecasting
  • Determine models for evaluating forecasts, considering consumer data
  • Create weekly shipping plans to align with retailer needs
  • Present POS demand forecasts at internal consensus meetings
  • Collaborate with the sales team in key forecasting meetings with Walmart
  • Oversee Direct Import business operations with the Hong Kong office

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits including health and wellness programs
  • Resources for professional development and continuous learning
  • Inclusive workplace culture focused on belonging
  • Opportunity to work with iconic brands within a dynamic team
  • Engagement in innovative product development processes
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Opportunity:

Mattel is seeking a highly analytical and customer-focused Specialist, Sales Planning & Analysis (SPA), to support one of our most strategic retail partnerships-Walmart.

In this role, you'll serve as a key link between Mattel and Walmart, leveraging data-driven insights to influence forecasting, inventory management, and business planning decisions. You'll work directly with Walmart buyers, replenishment teams, and internal cross-functional partners to ensure products are available when and where consumers want them.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys turning data into actionable business recommendations, and wants to play a visible role in managing one of the world's largest retail partnerships. You'll have the opportunity to influence business outcomes, strengthen customer relationships, and drive operational excellence across a portfolio of iconic Mattel brands.

What Your Impact Will Be:
  • 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


Qualifications

What We're Looking For:

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, BigQuery or other database programs
  • Experience with statistical forecasting techniques, systems applications and model building

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate's work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
  • Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate's work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Additional Information

Don't meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!

How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:
  • We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
  • We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
  • We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc. is a global toy company that designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of toys and games. The company's brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, and more. Mattel's products are sold in over 150 countries and the company has manufacturing facilities in 10 countries. Mattel is committed to sustainability and has set a goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in all products and packaging by 2030. The company is also committed to diversity and inclusion and has been recognized for its efforts in this area.
Learn more about Mattel
Size
36,300 employees
Market Cap
$5.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$126.6 million
Founded
1945
5 Year Trend
-4.3%
Revenue
$4.5 billion
NASDAQ

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