Job Description
:Forecasting Analyst Lead Europe
FIT for YOU?
Enthused to leverage your demand planning experience to develop your own team ? Inspired to be part of the team that digitally reimagines the way Mars plans? You love to engage others on a digital planning journey? If you are excited about the opportunity to lead a team in transforming the way Mars plans through a human-centric, digital approach, then this Forecasting Analyst Lead role may be the perfect fit for you. Join us on this journey of innovation and growth in the Mars European Center of Excellence. Looking forward to hear from you!CONTEXTThe Center of Excellence is in full operation since 1 year and it has been an exciting start. Now we are a team that is 40 women / man strong with 15 nationalities. This diverse team is at the center of the digital planning transformation in Mars with responsibilities ranging from forecasting, process excellence, data and analytics to data quality.
1 year ago we have reset the processes, upgraded the planning system to Kinaxis and E2Open and completely changed the organisation. We do not see this as a result but more as the beginning of a journey. Mars is further investing in their people in planning and in the CoE to go further. We have build a large agenda of improvement projects that we are driving in the planning space and the forecast analyst team is right in the middle of that.
The FA Lead is part of the Leadership Team of the CoE and is a such a key driver for the European demand planning agenda.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead and manage the forecasting analyst team for Europe Create and maintain the statistical driven forecast for the full portfolio, for the full horizon Drive the way of working: grasp the S&OP and S&OE planning processes at Mars and the needs of the different stakeholders in that, understand different countries needs while driving standardisation, apply segmented approach to deal with structural differences, use digital story telling to bring data to life, drive data driven value added discussion in each country. Collect relevant assumptions in a structural way in the system and outside. Enhance the data model: Define, Collect and clean relevant data references, Fine tune (or rebuild) the forecasting models: choose the best fitting model per product, and manually enhance the forecast as needed Communicate and explain the statistical forecast to the markets/planning team in a non-technical way Listen to market feedback, evaluate statistical findings/improvements, provide business insights, and communicate clearly to stakeholders Adapt leadership and stakeholder management style as the planning approach evolves over time Create feedback mechanisms form the markets to drive process and statistical improvement. Co-create and support the long term planning vision and agenda that unleashes the human centric, digital planning transformation in Mars. QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Professional
B.S. or BA in computer science, data science, machine learning, mathematics, statistics or related natural science or technical degree. Master or advanced degree (sciences or business) preferred 5+ years of experience in planning or forecasting or statistical modelling in industrial or CPG/FMCG company 2-3 years of experience in a people leader or team leader capacity Knowledge / Experience
Experience with statistical forecasting tools such as R, Python or SAAS Experience with demand sensing and machine learning algorithms Experience with ERP and Advanced Planning Systems (preferably E2Open or RapidResponse) Understanding of demand drivers, building blocks, outliers and demand shaping characteristics within CPG (preferrable but not essential) Understanding of Lean / Six Sigma / root cause analysis, e.g., 5 why’s Ability to present complex analysis in understandable forms to business stakeholders Experience with digital transformations in companies Attention to detail and a passion for data accuracy Ability to listen to others and link to others’ ideas Fluent in EnglishAs this new way of planning in Mars is only life since 10 month, this approach will to evolve over time. The forecast analyst lead will need to amend his leadership and stakeholder management style to this. Especially in the beginning it will be crucial to be able to bridge the gap between statistics and standard business way of working to be successful.We are looking forward to welcome you at Mars:
the future we build tomorrow start with how we do business today.
What can you expect from Mars? Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.