Demand Planning Analyst

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The Demand Planning Analyst will be responsible for effectively maintaining a volume forecast across product groups for one of four James Hardie Sales’ divisions (West and Canada; North, South Central, South) through advanced analytical skills, industry experience, and effective communication.

An effective Demand Planning Analyst will demonstrate the ability to work cross functionally across Sales, Supply Chain, and Data Science teams to develop a volume forecast, driving ultimately to a consensus demand number (e.g., consensus demand methodology), which is aligned on with James Hardie Management. The analyst will be responsible for developing a forecast each month, for the upcoming 12 – 18-month period, placing particular emphasis on the upcoming quarter. A successful Demand Planning Analyst will produce a forecast with improving results to actual performance over time and is in generally in line with their peers (analysts forecasting other James Hardie divisions).

What You’ll Do:

• Develop demand forecast for one of four Sales Divisions (West and Canada, North, South Central, South) at a forecast group/region level
• Collect forecasting inputs from Data Science, Sales, and Customer teams and apply forecasting logic to reach final Demand (e.g., consensus demand methodology) by forecast by region for designated Sales Division
• Maintain and update data for one of four sales divisions, this will include: tracking historical sales, actual sales, promotions, and communicating any constraints / overrides
• Measure forecast accuracy monthly for each of the individual forecast inputs (including the consensus forecast number) and conduct root cause analysis, as needed, to identify areas for improvement. Develop recommendations to improve the forecasting process where meaningful inaccuracies are identified
• Provide monthly commentary on designated division on a region by forecast group level, interacting directly with the Demand Planning Director, to provide key inputs related to the division-level forecast
• Engage in regional sales meetings to inform Sales input and improve alignment of forecast
• Interact with James Hardie customers, as required, to work on inputting anticipated purchases, in the forecast model
• Understand James Hardie business operations, including the impacts of seasonality, promotions and cadence, etc.
• Attend monthly meetings with internal demand planning team to relay monthly forecast and context

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Merchandising, Business, Economics, or related discipline preferred
• Preference of 2 – 3 years Demand Planning experience. If not direct Demand Planning experience, then a background in Supply Chain is also highly relevant
• Demonstrated advanced experience in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, charts, visualizations, formatting, etc.)
• Experience with advanced data analysis tools is a plus, including a background working with SAP, and / or an IBP (Integrated Business Planning) system solution
• Familiarity and comfort working and engaging with multiple teams / resources within a business; demonstrated ability to build relationships, drive to consensus, etc.