Forecasting Specialist

Forecasting Specialist

Arla Head Office, Leeds, LS10 1AB

Permanent, days-based role (Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week)

We are currently seeking a Forecasting Specialist to join our team. This role will provide essential support to our Finnish market and colleagues, whilst working alongside our UK Demand Planning team.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary (salary discussed at application stage)
  
  
• 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays
  
  
• Hybrid & flexible working
  
  
• Pension contribution matched up to 6%
  
  
• 4 x annual salary life assurance
  
  
• Free to use onsite Gym
  
  
• Access to discounted products in our Staff Shop
  
  
• People agenda commitment to training and development
  
  
• Flexible Benefits- buy up to 5 days additional annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
  
  
• Most importantly - Cheese hamper at Christmas!
  
  How will you make an impact?
  
  Reporting into the Demand Planning Manager- Finland, this role will play a pivotal part in improving planning efficiency through data analytics and advanced forecasting. Responsibilities include assessing data, maintaining baseline forecasts, and applying machine learning for accurate forecasting. This requires a deep understanding of demand patterns, product lifecycles, and market trends.
  
  Further responsibilities include;
  
  
• Ensure data completeness and quality.
  
  
• Maintain and regularly review master data and planning parameters for demand planning.
  
  
• Review automatic cleansing. Ensure final output (cleansed data) is completed in the system.
  
  
• Generate and analyse historical demand performance reports incorporating relevant actions into future forecasting.
  
  
• Analyze and provide initial baseline forecast for phase-in/phase-out products, considering cannibalization impacts and lifecycle changes
  
  
• Select the most appropriate statistical models for demand segmentation, considering factors like seasonality, responsiveness, trend, and stability. Manage demand segmentation review and apply overrides if necessary (in alignment with Demand Planner).
  
  
• Run and adjust the statistical baseline forecast & advance modeling (eg, ML), including parameter setting and forecast rollup.
  
  
• Review and maximize demand sensing utilization.
  
  
• Monitor and report on forecasting KPI’s (e.g., forecast accuracy, forecast BIAS, forecast value add) at multiple levels and lags and provide insights on contributing factors and improvement opportunities.
  
  
• Provide descriptive and diagnostic insights about the previous cycle's forecast performance.
  
  What will make you successful
  
  The ideal candidate will have;
  
  
• Strong experience within demand planning and demand planning systems (Experience with SAP IBP is a strong advantage)
  
  
• Excellent data and analytical skills
  
  
• Experience within a fast-paced FMCG environment is preferrable.
  
  
• Technical proficiency
  
  
• Possesses strong collaboration, organisation and teamwork skills
  
  Would you like to join us?
  
  If you are enthusiastic about joining our team and meet the qualifications listed above, we would love to hear from you.
  
  For more information please contact Olivia Pine, Talent Acquisition Partner at Arla Foods. The closing date for this position is the 19th March 2025 and only CV’s sent directly via the link will be considered