Sr Forecast Analyst at The Home Depot in Toronto, ON  M3C 4H9

With a career at The Home Depot, you can be yourself and also be part of something bigger.
 

Title: Senior Forecast Analyst, Supply Chain
Position Overview:
The Senior Forecast Analyst has responsibility for the analysis and maintenance of the system sales forecast which is a key input into organizational planning processes. The analyst should have advanced knowledge of retail forecasting and experience with SAP forecasting systems or 
other "best in class" platforms. The analysts will be responsible for achieving forecast 
completeness and data integrity targets and alignment of the corporate S&OP process. The 
analyst will liaise with cross functional partners to determine sales forecasts for new articles 
and events. The analyst will also maintain F&R system parameters that drive the automated 
forecasting and replenishment system. The analyst will be responsible for directing workflow for and assisting development of the replenishment analysts in their category and thus will hold shared responsibility for their team’s instock, inventory turns targets and lead their 360 team on projects & initiatives that drive sales

Key Responsibilities:
Inventory Management
•    Maintain ultimate responsibility for the Forecasting & Replenishment system for all products within assigned categories.
•    Load sku-store level sales forecasts into SAP following for new products based on established reset processes 
•    Manage forecasts for existing tools and communicate changes to cross-functional partners
•    Provide key reporting to Inventory Management, Merchandising, Logistics and Senior 
Management, finance, regional leaders
•    Review & analyze historical data and trends to forecast the demand of import and 
domestic goods held at the Store/Distribution Centres/online
•    Utilize full suite of system forecasting tools in achieving high forecast accuracy
•    Plan and execute exit strategy of discontinued articles
•    Lead and influence demand planning strategies in order to maximize vendor fill rates, minimize loss of sales, and minimize inventory redistribution due to forecast error and decrease forecast variances which negatively impact downstream supply chain planning.
•    Analyse and maintain additional replenishment parameters such as location minimums, time dependant presentation stock, target range of coverage, optimization horizon, etc.
Project Management 
•    Monitor recent sales performance and adjust forward forecasts at appropriate time 
horizons.
•    Track Key supply chain and financial Performance Indicators on a weekly, monthly quarterly and annual basis, 
including store/DC.
•    Sign-off with merchants and finance on determining appropriate and achievable financial plans (sales & inventory) based on their knowledge of business in store/DC/online
•    Manage the Store and DC forecast parameters, replenishment parameters, and 
forecast exceptions.
•    Conduct inventory review and analysis to support product line reviews and present impact of assortment change from an inventory standpoint
•    Liaise with merchants and finance on channel and sourcing changes
•    Identifying potential demand fluctuations and supply chain risks and develop mediation plans
Partnering
•    Act as primary forecasting contact for merchants in the categories that the analyst oversees and provide supply chain expertise to the entire 360 team 
•    Communicate product status and updates to stores and DC in a timely manner.
•    Lead as necessary during emergencies and natural disasters with their replenishment analysts and accountable for the team’s response times
•    Liaise with Merchants to ensure execution of category S&OP processes (forecast 
validation).
•    Work closely with Merchants and Senior Management to achieve company 
objectives.
•    Provide vendors/suppliers visibility to future order forecasts and planned purchases
•    Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend solutions.
•    Provide SAP Super user expertise. Identify high, medium, and low sellers and update forecasting & replenishment parameters accordingly.
•    Collaborates with merchants and vendor on promo forecast alignment
•    Ability to present and defend forecasts and influence stakeholders in the development of the collaborative forecast
Team Leadership
•    Coach, mentor, develop and direct workflow of replenishment analysts in their categories
•    Ability to carry out full suite of replenishment analyst responsibilities in case of absences or to support in critical initiatives
•    Review and share information with the replenishment team to support the accurate and timely replenishment of inventory for new and existing items in the assortment
•    Able to act as back up for manager in case of absences or if manager is unavailable

Competencies:
                                        
•    Collaborates
•    Action oriented
•    Customer Focus
•    Drives results
•    Communicates effectively
•    Decision Quality
•    Plans and Aligns
•    Ensures accountability
•    Develops talent                    

Skills:
                                    
•    Advanced Excel skills
•    Exposure to demand planning software
•    Strong Analytical, influential, interpersonal skills
•    Organization skills
•    Problem solving and critical thinking skills
•    Data analysis
•    Project and change management
•    Managing complexity in a large network, understanding the impact of the up and downstream actors 
•    Execution and results focused, strategic and dynamic thinker
•    Excellent communication skills; collaborative with effective interpersonal skills; able to work across department
•    Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and pay close attention to detail
•    Strong customer focus with business acumen, problem solving skills and results orientated 
•    Self -directed, ability to work with limited supervision.                                    
Direct Manager/Direct Reports:                                 
•    Reports to Manager or Sr Manager, Supply Chain
                                    
Travel Requirements:
                                        
•    Limited (travel to stores, distribution centers and vendors as required)
                        
Physical Requirements:
                                        
•    Extended sitting 
•    Repetitive tasks
                                

Working Conditions: 
                                    
•    Working in an office setting: computer work, camera on virtual meetings, taking support calls

Minimum Education:
•    University or College Degree in business or science/engineering or background in 
supply chain management will be considered as a preferred qualification.
•    Experience with SAP or other best in class forecasting systems (Retail or 
Manufacturing) is an asset.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:
•    Must fulfill minimum time-in-position (1 year) 
•    3-5 years of analytical experience (ideally in a retail environment) with emphasis on 
forecasting and inventory management

Minimum Leadership Experience:

•    Excellent communication skills; collaborative with effective interpersonal skills; able 
to work across departments.
•    Strong customer focus with business acumen, problem solving skills and result orientated.
•    Self -directed, ability to work with limited supervision.
•    Flexible in attitude and approach to business solutions    
•    Demonstrated expertise in business analysis

Certifications:
                                        
•    None
                                        
Other Requirements/Assets: 
•    Experience with financial analysis and quantitative skills, including ability to produce 
and review sales analysis (turns, sales, gross margin, etc.) and other analytical techniques to assist in making key forecast and replenishment decisions.
•    Experience with maintaining retail forecasting models and achieving forecast 
completeness metrics.
•    Replenishment experience is considered an asset.
•    Advanced proficiency with MS Excel 
•    Strong analytical skills with the ability to extrapolate pertinent information from 
various sources (reports and spreadsheets) and analyze data for recommendations.
•    Ability to present data and information in both PowerPoint and Tableau is an asset
•    Bilingual in French and English is an asset