Business Analyst Forecasting

# Description


*Position Summary*
The Forecast Analyst manages the RDF system to provide useful and timely statistical forecasts at the item/store/week level that meet both short term and long term needs by category. The Forecast Analyst partners with the Planning and Allocation Analyst to develop action plans to address changes to the statistical forecast based on promotional activity and any other relevant business planning strategies or events that will affect future forecast accuracy. The Forecast Analyst should work cross functionally to ensure forecasting strategies align with corporate direction. The Forecast Analyst will leverage the Alert Manager within RDF to prioritize and develop action plans to address potential forecasting issues.
The Forecast Analyst reports to the Forecast Manager in charge of the relevant categories.

*Key Tasks and Responsibilities*
* *
*/Strategy Responsibilities /*
* Lead consensus meetings with the Planning & Allocation teams to discuss sales trends, exceptions to the statistical forecast, upcoming advertising and all other relevant issues that may impact the forecast of each category.
* Analyze forecasting reports and highlight the trends within a department for communication with the Planning & Allocation team.
* Manage forecasts to support company business strategies such as Side-By-Side stores, TRU Holiday Express stores, Dot Com, etc*/./*
* Follows up to ensure all work requirements are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
* Initiates decisive, timely action to address day-to-day issues and addresses obstacles, redirecting efforts to assure quality results.
* Participate in business decisions in cross functional meetings with Planning and Supply Chain business partners.
*/ /*
*/ /*
*/Leadership Responsibilities /*
* Share knowledge and experience with the Planning & Allocation, Sales & Operations and other business partners as needed.
* Communicate and coordinate with Planning & Allocation partners action plans to solve forecast issues.
* Work cross-functionally to advise teams of system capabilities to aid in decision making.
* Help others identify and prioritize their development objectives and act to address and resolve poor performance.
* Continuously updates knowledge and skills to handle new challenges and responsibilities, takes accountability for outcomes and follows through on commitments.
* Provides honest, helpful feedback and guidance where appropriate to enhance skill development.
* Works productively in the face of uncertainty and responds constructively to new demands, priorities and challenges while at the same time demonstrating flexibility and resilience
*/ /*
*/ /*
*/Core Forecasting Responsibilities/*
* Responsible for: weekly item/store level forecasts,advertising and promotional forecasts, new item set up and maintenance, new store set up and maintenance, seasonal variations, consensus meetings with planners, and trouble - shooting using the forecasting reports to resolve issues.
* Work all system generated Alerts weekly and address all outliers.
* Analyzes system generated forecasts and determines best forecast methods and system settings to generate most useful results.
* Research within the forecasting reports the trends within a department for communication with the Planning & Allocation team about the accuracy of the forecast.
* Maintain history in RDF including Calendar shifts, to provide timely forecasts.
* Forecasts shared items for TRU, BRU and Dotcom chains.
* Validate advertising forecasts by reviewing sales history and analyzing internal and external factors, properly spread advertising sales at store level to ensure appropriate promotional store forecasts are in place.
* Review and action Forecasting reports such as RDF Accuracy Report and Naïve Report.
* Performs post mortem analysis on an annual basis for relevant categories.
* Identify and help solve forecast issues caused by Item Eligibility and Merged Allocation relationships with the Planning & Allocation team collaboratively.
* Work cross functionally with business partners in driving business opportunities.

*/ /*
* *
* *
* *
*Financial Responsibilities *
*/ /*
* Deliver useful forecasts that accurately reflect sales trends to generate appropriate store level product allocations in DCM to maximize sales.
* Provide proper and timely forecasts that will increase use of system generated Time Phased Replenishment (TPR’s) orders.



# Qualifications


*Qualifications/Skills*
* Bachelor’s Degree.
* Minimum 2 years business experience and 1 year forecasting experience/./
* Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
* Knowledge and command of the RDF forecasting system a plus.
* Advanced communication and interpersonal skill sets.
Intermediate skill sets using Merchandise Planning Systems and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
**Job Function:** Merchandise Planning %26 Allocation
**Primary Location:** USA-NJ-Wayne
**Schedule:** Full-time
**Organization:** Headquarters
**Job Type:** Standard
**Education Level:** Bachelor's Degree
**Travel:** No
**Brand:** Toys 'R' US
**Req ID:** 69128