Analyst, Forecasting

Champion Petfoods is expanding We are excited to announce we are looking for an Analyst, Forecasting & Planning to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion - with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands - is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime, provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

**Summary**

The Analyst, Forecasting & Planning will primarily be responsible for providing key support on statistical forecasts, Inventory targets and Production forecasts, taking into account Financial, Production and Distribution requirements, using a variety of inputs such as planned Sales orders, Inventory on hand and Inventory in transit.

This position will analyze and maintain accurate rolling Sales and Production Demand plans while monitoring the ingredient supply chain to ensure availability, and for communicating results to key stakeholders. The Analyst, Forecasting & Planning works out of our manufacturing facility in Acheson, AB and reports to the Director, Planning & Supply Chain.

**Responsibilities**
- Support ongoing Planning and Forecasting process.
- Assist in translating Sales forecasts into the Demand plan as necessary.
- Provide support and backup to Director of Planning & Supply Chain in any capacity.
- Help assist in developing a level loaded Production plan.
- Improve and tighten impact of FG demand Changes to ingredient management.
- Analyze Continuity Plan in terms of Commitments from Suppliers (level loading schedules).
- Support the Ingredient Management team with risk assessments and mitigation activities.
- Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy.
- Support the communication of forecast and inventory changes as necessary.
- Monitor and provide Ingredient Management with important changes on the continuity plan.
- Provide additional support for planning and Kitchen schedule integration.
- Generating forecast, demand, other reports as required.
- Maintaining documentation and operating procedures for demand processes.
- Conducting current and future forecasting analysis.
- Analyze and uphold accurate and detailed rolling Demand plans while monitoring Sales to ensure product availability.
- Assist in managing inventory targets and making recommendations about changes to Inventory targets based on changes in demand or Sales trends.
- Routinely seek the advice of your peers and actively participate in projects that will advance the company.
- Effectively communicate on a timely basis with internal departments.
- Coordinate necessary action plans with affected departments.
- Collaborate with functional experts in order to facilitate and improve inventory best practices.
- Drive the daily diagnostics of inventory, and determine root causes of errors.
- Ensure that plans are followed as expected and develop corrective actions in conjunction with other related departments when variances are discovered.
- Maintain a positive relationship with outside suppliers and clients.
- Other duties as required or assigned.

**Requirements**:

- Bachelor's Degree in a Commerce or Science related field.
- 5 years’ experience in Demand Planning and/or Forecasting.
- Advanced analytical skills.
- Thorough understanding of the technical process of supply chains.
- Strong experience managing and developing teams.
- Excellent communication skills including an ability to communicate and work effectively with business and technical managers and diverse cross-functional groups.
- Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
- Proven experience driving process improvements.
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, people management, and team building skills.
- Problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
- Self-directed, with excellent time management and project planning skills.
- Ability to build and sustain successful internal and external working relationships.
- Proactive approach to managing problems and issues, and strong resource optimization skills.
- Detail oriented with solid investigative skills.
- Maintain current knowledge of laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to corporate purchasing practices.
- Excellent organizational abilities, planning and prioritizing skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to attend and/or conduct presentations/meetings.
- Travel may be required.
- Some extended hours of work may be required.
- Knowledge of M3 and demand planning integration.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer and does no