Forecasting Specialist - Walmart

About the role

Mattel is seeking a Specialist to lead the forecasting and planning for a top retailer. This role is a member of the Sales Planning & Analytics team, which partners with internal and external stakeholders to plan and execute future sales demand. The team focuses on identifying weekly POS trends and seasonality to predict future performance, provides a consumption-based ship and order plan to support consumer demand at retail, and is involved in end-to-end commercial execution including order management, transportation, and omni-channel performance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) on assigned account and brands.
• Lead the analysis of sales trends to improve weekly item-level POS projections; own and align these plans with internal stakeholders and retail partners to ensure a collaborative plan at retail.
• Determine appropriate models for evaluating item-level forecasts and analysis, considering total end-consumer consumption forecasts, brand/product history, comparable brands/products, inventory levels, and marketing programs.
• Determine a weekly shipping plan by item and channel to support POS plans, retailer in-stock, and future order needs; create product flow patterns based on 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 the Mattel sales team in key collaborative forecasting meetings with Buyers and Replenishment Managers.
• Present business findings and recommend action plans for the season.
• Deliver store in-stock metrics by influencing the end-to-end order process including order creation, reviewing daily orders, maintaining perfect POs, and optimizing fill rate.
• Direct the execution of Direct Import business out of Asia, partnering closely with the Customer Service team in the Hong Kong office.

Qualifications

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 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 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 and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of demand forecasting tools and cross-functional forecasting processes (JDA, SAP, Demantra, Anaplan, etc.).
• 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.

Benefits

Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Pay

The pay range for this position is between $115,000 and $140,000 annual. Base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills, and experience.

Schedule

This role is an in-office role Monday through Thursday, with work from home on Fridays. Mattel embraces a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility to optimize performance and drive connection.