Forecasting Specialist - Walmart

Mattel•Rogers, AR

4h•$94,000 - $118,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mattel is seeking a Forecasting Specialist to lead forecasting and planning for a top retailer. The role is part of the Sales Planning & Analytics team and supports collaborative sales forecasting, inventory management, customer planning, and order fulfillment. The Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for assigned accounts and brands, analyzes sales trends to improve weekly item-level point-of-sale projections, and aligns plans with internal stakeholders and retail partners. The role determines appropriate approaches for evaluating forecasts using consumer consumption forecasts, product history, inventory levels, and marketing programs. It also develops item- and channel-level shipping plans, product flow patterns, and consensus forecasts, and works with Mattel’s sales team and retail buyers and replenishment managers to present findings and recommend actions. The Specialist influences the end-to-end order process to support store in-stock metrics and directs execution of Direct Import business from Asia in partnership with Mattel’s Hong Kong Customer Service team. The position is in-office Monday through Thursday, with work from home on Fridays. The stated annual pay range is $94,000 to $118,000; actual base pay depends on work location, skills, and experience.

Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills.
Direct forecasting experience planning in a highly seasonal environment with long lead times.
Extensive experience analyzing large data sets, combining data from multiple sources, conducting analysis, and creating actionable summarized reports to support decision-making and strategic planning.
Knowledge of demand forecasting tools and cross-functional forecasting processes, such as JDA, SAP, Demantra, or Anaplan.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in sales analysis or merchandise buying/planning.
Strong analytical skills, including coordinating diverse information, identifying relevant data, and recommending and implementing corrective actions.
Interpersonal and communication skills to communicate across organizational levels and functions and understand, assess, and present others’ viewpoints.
Sound business judgment to interpret issues and recommend actions that support group, division, and corporate goals.
Process-oriented approach, including identifying process improvements and sharing expertise.

Nice To Haves

Experience in CPG or retail.
Experience with PowerBI, Alteryx, BigQuery, or other database programs.
Experience with statistical forecasting techniques, systems applications, and model building.

Responsibilities

Serve as the subject matter expert on assigned accounts and brands.
Lead analysis of sales trends to improve weekly item-level POS projections and align plans with internal stakeholders and retail partners.
Select appropriate models for item-level forecast evaluation, considering consumer consumption forecasts, product history, comparable products, inventory levels, and marketing programs.
Determine weekly item- and channel-level shipping plans that support POS plans, retailer in-stock levels, and future order needs.
Create product flow patterns based on seasonality, planned promotions, distribution, and price point.
Present POS demand forecasts and key findings at internal consensus meetings and contribute to monthly cross-functional S&OP consensus forecasts.
Participate in collaborative forecasting meetings with retail buyers and replenishment managers, presenting findings and recommending seasonal action plans.
Influence the end-to-end order process to deliver store in-stock metrics, including order creation, daily order review, maintaining perfect POs, and optimizing fill rate.
Direct execution of Direct Import business from Asia in partnership with the Customer Service team in Hong Kong.