Labor Planning and Forecasting Manager

gategroup • Los Angeles, CA

5d

About The Position

The Labor Planning and Forecasting Manager is responsible for local labor planning and scheduling activities across the long and short term for assigned units. The role develops workforce plans and forecasts aligned with business goals and operational needs, optimizing labor allocation to meet changing demand while controlling costs. It collaborates with Operations, Human Resources, Finance, and Industrial Engineers, and provides labor analytics and recommendations to senior management. The position also supports staffing strategies, monitors weekly schedules, improves planning processes, ensures compliance with labor regulations, and guides and mentors the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in operational planning, monitoring operational KPIs, or financial controlling.
• Experience leading strategic or operational workforce planning activities, including demand and gap analysis.
• Ability to identify complex themes, findings, and recommendations from quantitative and qualitative assessments.
• Ability to function independently.
• Adaptability and receptiveness to change, with a strong drive to adopt innovative approaches.
• Ability to handle tasks under demanding time constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in personnel scheduling and rostering.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of union regulations and labor legislation.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of a second language.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute labor resource planning strategies aligned with business goals and operational needs.
• Analyze historical data, trends, and market dynamics to optimize labor allocation and address overstaffing or understaffing.
• Collaborate with Finance and Operations to develop labor budgets, monitor actual versus planned expenditures, and identify cost-efficiency improvements.
• Use data-driven forecasting to anticipate labor needs, including seasonal variations, special events, and other factors affecting workforce requirements.
• Develop and maintain reporting mechanisms for labor utilization, productivity, and cost KPIs, and provide regular updates to senior management.
• Collaborate with Operations, Human Resources, Finance, and Industrial Engineers to align labor plans with operational strategies and business objectives.
• Recommend short- and long-term staffing strategies, including hiring, training, and reassignment of labor resources.
• Monitor and review weekly schedules to accommodate changing business needs.
• Identify and implement process improvements and best practices in labor planning and resource allocation.
• Stay current with labor regulations and policies to ensure workforce planning activities comply with legal requirements.
• Provide guidance and mentorship and foster a collaborative, high-performing, results-oriented team environment.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-sponsored life insurance
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager