Customer Planning & Business Analytics Manager

Come join us•Bentonville, AR

About The Position

The Customer Planning & Business Analytics Manager owns Walmart forecasting and customer business planning, translating sales, inventory, and customer data into actions that improve forecast accuracy, in-stock performance, and profitable growth. Reporting directly to the Walmart Senior Sales Director, this role serves as a customer-planning thought leader and key field liaison, recommending programs that support Munchkin Compass goals and Walmart Joint Business Planning initiatives. The role maintains accurate forecasts and inventory visibility by analyzing sales velocity, seasonality, historical out-of-stocks, and Walmart forecast systems. It works closely with Walmart Replenishment Managers and Demand Planners and collaborates with Munchkin Sales, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Replenishment, Marketing, Finance, and Headquarters teams. The position is based in the Bentonville, Arkansas area and requires minimal travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in customer planning, inventory management, demand planning, or forecasting at a CPG company.
Demonstrated ownership of customer forecasting and business planning, with the ability to turn complex data into actionable recommendations, influence cross-functional partners, and execute plans that improve sales, inventory, and profitability.
Results-focused approach, including the ability to identify and track critical metrics, recognize opportunities and issues, and develop and execute plans to address them.
Ability to use data analytics to identify opportunities and drive sales growth while maintaining profitability.
Ability to use multiple information sources for sales planning, out-of-stock and on-hand analysis, and forecasting across more than 300 items.
Adaptability in a changing retail and supplier environment; self-starter who can work independently.
Strong understanding of financials and ability to translate complex information into clear insights and tactics.
Strong cross-functional collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Computer proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), Retail Link, and IRI.
Strong analytical skills and financial understanding of Walmart systems.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts, with excellent interpersonal skills.
Superior communication, organizational, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

Analyze Retail Link data for planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial impact, and trend identification.
Analyze IRI data on Munchkin and competitive items across retailers to identify Walmart assortment opportunities, including item swaps, modular recommendations, pack-count revisions, and color trends.
Work with Trade Marketing, Item Master Data, Marketing Coordination, and Sales Support teams on item configurations, suffix changes, UPC revisions, and product dimensions.
Manage new-item setup, existing-item maintenance in Item 360, and price-change forms and uploads.
Oversee Walmart’s Supply Plan and GRS through portfolio management and inventory planning, partnering with Supply Chain, Planning, and Walmart Sales teams to meet operational targets.
Use analytics and operational precision to make data-driven decisions and fact-based recommendations to the Walmart Sales Team.
Analyze Walmart GRS and AIMS for omni-items and complete Walmart escalation templates and Munchkin receipt-alignment documents.
Communicate forecast accuracy, in-stock challenges, ordering accuracy, and recommended corrective tactics to the company and customer on an agreed cadence.
Partner with Marketing and Sales to project volume for proposed new items and complete priority-ranking forms.
Maintain accurate inventory records and data workbooks that give Sales, Replenishment, Supply Chain, and Planning stakeholders visibility into inventory opportunities and challenges.
Partner with Walmart Replenishment Managers and Demand Planners on forecast planning, inventory reviews, receipt alignment, and day-to-day in-stock goals.
Help achieve forecast accuracy of 75%, weeks-on-hand supply targets, and 98.5% in-stock performance across Walmart Stores, Walmart.com, and Online Grocery Pick-Up.
Perform other duties as assigned.