Analyst Demand Planning Salty

The Hershey Company•Lower Swatara Township, PA

2d•$66,400 - $83,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Analyst, Demand Planning Salty supports the development of accurate and timely U.S. demand forecasts by integrating statistical forecasting models with commercial insights from Marketing, Sales, Finance, and other cross-functional partners. This role contributes to Integrated Business Management (IBM) and Integrated Portfolio Management processes by translating business insights, promotional activities, new item launches, seasonality, and market trends into actionable demand plans. The analyst owns assigned forecasting activities and product segments, ensuring accurate data, documented assumptions, and reliable forecasts that support service levels, inventory optimization, and financial objectives. Through analysis of product performance, risks, and opportunities, this role helps drive informed business decisions and alignment across the organization.

Requirements

1-3 years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Planning, Sales Planning, Marketing, Category Management, Analytics, or a related field.
Bachelor's degree required in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Analytics, or a related field.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Experience working with forecasting, planning, or supply chain systems.
Ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into actionable insights.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Effective communication and collaboration skills across multiple functional teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced business environment.

Responsibilities

Own line-item demand forecasts for assigned customers, categories, and product segments.
Analyze historical sales, shipment, promotional, and consumption trends to develop accurate demand projections.
Integrate commercial inputs including promotions, new product launches, planogram changes, seasonality, and baseline business trends into forecasts.
Ensure forecast inputs are complete, accurate, and aligned with established planning processes and business assumptions.
Continuously improve forecast accuracy and reduce error against established WMAPE and Bias targets.
Analyze product and portfolio performance to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and performance drivers.
Prepare recurring reports and analyses that provide visibility into product health and forecast performance.
Support SKU rationalization efforts and portfolio optimization initiatives through data-driven recommendations.
Maintain clear documentation of planning assumptions, key initiatives, and forecast drivers by business segment.
Identify, quantify, and evaluate risks and opportunities (R&Os) within the demand plan.
Assess potential impacts of forecast gaps and recommend solutions while understanding associated operational and financial trade-offs.
Participate in scenario planning activities by developing data-driven analyses and evaluating potential market, customer, or portfolio changes.
Support decision-making that balances financial performance, inventory investment, service levels, and customer commitments.
Contribute to new item launch planning and execution activities by coordinating cross-functional inputs and ensuring timely system updates.
Participate in key planning forums and business processes, including IBM, KEM meetings, and other demand planning reviews.
Support planning activities related to new products, customer initiatives, and strategic business events.
Maintain planning tools, forecasting systems, dashboards, trackers, and reporting templates.
Validate data accuracy and completeness to ensure consistency across planning processes.
Partner with Marketing, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to gather information, align assumptions, and resolve data discrepancies.
Provide timely communication regarding forecast updates, assumptions, risks, and opportunities to support business alignment and execution.