Sr Customer Forecasting Analyst

Company Description

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The Canada Supply Chain Management team is a high-impact team supporting our cross functional commercial partners as well as our Global Supply Chain teams. This department plays a critical role in the journey to transform our overall Planning processes which include improvements in our forecast performance and ultimately customer fill-rate. In this team, you can expect to have a dynamic, fast-paced role where you will have true accountability and collaboration with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

We are seeking a Sr. Forecasting Analyst to join the Canada Supply Chain Management team based out of our Mississauga, Canada office. You will report to our customer Supply Chain Manager, directly supporting the Walmart Sales team as well as the external Walmart Planning and Replenishment teams.

You will be responsible for leading the development of the customer shipment plan through creation of accurate item-level forecasts in collaboration with Sales and based on consumer and market demand.

This role is instrumental in supporting the internal Account teams as well as external Customer Planning and Replenishment teams in the areas of forecast review, replenishment, and product availability.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Lead the development of the customer shipment plan through creation of accurate item-level forecasts in collaboration with Sales based on consumer demand and within constraints of Mattel and the customer
• This role is instrumental in supporting the Internal Sales teams as well as external Customer Planning and Replenishment teams in the areas of forecast planning and review, replenishment, and order fulfillment
• Create and maintain item-level forecasts according to consumption trends, promotional activations, brand/product history, inventory levels and marketing programs
• Generate monthly flow/phasing pattern based on seasonality/events, planned promotions, points of distribution and market insights and trends
• Collect, analyze, and validate sales and promotional data based on POS and historical performance
• Develop strategies and approach to improve forecast accuracy, preventing fill-rate from being a cause of lost sales by focusing on forecast variance improvements and inventory balancing opportunities
• Ensure adequate supply plan match including proactive communication and corrective actions
• Attend internal S&OP meetings and work with demand planning to achieve consensus for demand forecasts
• Facilitate regular forecast review with leadership; present and summarize forecasts at various levels and periods including communicaion of Risks and Opportunities while tracking performance against KPI’s
• Participate on key global projects to drive Forecasting Transformation initiatives

Sales and Customer Interactions:

• Regular attendance at internal Account and Business team meetings
• Establish relationships and regular meeting cadence with external customer supply chain teams

• Serve as customer’s primary point of contact for any forecasting, replenishment, and product availability discussions. This includes regular KPI tracking, forecast reviews, as well as in-season execution (promotions and modular planning)
• Work with sales and customer to update forecasts and provide promotional lift analysis as well as recommendations for Chase/Cancel and Import Order reviews
• Participate as needed alongside Mattel Sales team in key JBP/CPFR meeting

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration or other relevant fields (MBA a plus)
• Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience in forecasting/planning/sales analytics, ideally in roles of increasing responsibility
• Prior experience working with Walmart highly recommended
• Experience using Anaplan, Blue Yonder/JDA, SAP, Tableau, Cognos a plus
• Experience with statistical forecasting techniques and system applications
• Must be a self-starter, detail-oriented with effective organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills:  Position requires ability to identify key trends, applying critical thinking to dissimilar problems and deliver fact supported analysis and recommendations
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills – able to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences both internally and externally
• Results and solution-oriented and ability to perform in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines
• Demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude and proactvie approach in managing key business stakeholders
• Open to travel when required and collaborate with customer and regional teams
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Additional Information

What It’s Like to Work Here:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation 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.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.