Forecast Manager - Forecast Center of Excellence
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Forecasting
- Tune statistical models generated in the forecasting platform as often as necessary (minimum weekly) to provide a clear starting point for cross-functional stakeholders to collaborate and align on.
- Project Total (Net of Stat +/- Puts & Calls) Unit Case volume for the short-, mid-, and long-term, using input from internal stakeholders, such as Brand, Sales, Franchise, Finance, Category Commercialization, and RGM (Revenue Growth Management) by leveraging stat modeling and value-add capabilities in the forecasting platform (e.g., Anaplan).
- Provide a clear POV on volume risks and opportunities based on an understanding of key inputs and objective assessment of the range of possible outcomes.
- Drive alignment through robust collaboration and analyses to provide the best demand signal for both financial forecast and supply chain planning for US Ops.
- Ensure databases and systems have accurate volumes for the various internal routines such as Weekly Zone/Brand Reviews, Monthly Rolling Estimate, and Annual Business Planning.
- Own the final volume forecast coming out of the monthly Forecast Alignment routines with clear assumption documentation and tracking.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Drive the monthly Unit Case Forecast Alignment sessions with Brand, Finance, and Zone partners, with inputs from Franchise and Sales (NRS + AO) with the ultimate outcome of feeding the RE (Rolling Estimate) and supply chain planning processes.
- Provide clear insights and misses/beats to the BP (Business Plan), RE, and Aligned Forecast in order to continuously improve the process and forecast accuracy/attainment across the organization.
- Actively collaborate with Product Commercialization, Sales and Marketing to capture brand initiatives and campaigns driving incremental volume vs. statistical baseline.
- Drive accountability by updating Puts & Calls and Risks & Opportunities as often as necessary (minimum monthly) in order to have the latest assumptions and resulting volume in the RE.
Analysis
- Analyze shipment and consumption/sell-through data to identify forecast variances and root causes to drive forecast process and accuracy improvement.
- Provide insights, volume risks and opportunities, and scenarios in order to drive aligned forecast for the downhill periods.
- Actively manage exceptions in the forecasting platform to identify and resolve high-error BPPs.
Continuous Improvement (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust Cycle)
- Track, analyze, and improve forecast performance by leveraging multiple data sources (shipments, orders, primary vs. secondary vs. consumption/sell-through sales, etc.).
- Track forecast attainment, bias, MAPE and WAPE to identify high-error exceptions and drive improvement through various methodologies.
- Improve stat forecasting model capabilities in Anaplan, as well as Dashboard and other capabilities by continuous learning, testing, and experimenting.
EDUCATION LEVEL REQUIRED
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and education
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- 5+ years’ experience in area of sales forecasting, demand planning, and S&OP.
- Statistical modeling
- Direct experience in forecasting applications
EXPERIENCE PREFERRED
- 5+ years of relevant or related industry experience preferred.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Strong analytical skills
- Expertise Level with Excel
- Strong oral and written communication skills (executive-level interactions)
- Basic understanding of P&L and financial acumen
- Proficient in PowerPoint/Databases (e.g., SAP-related BI/BW applications)
Our Purpose and Growth Culture: We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. When we collect your personal information as part of a job application or offer of employment, we do so in accordance with industry standards and best practices and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
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