Forecasting Analyst-Consumer Power

We are Generac, a leading energy technology company committed to powering a smarter world.

Over the 60 plus years of Generac’s history, we’ve been dedicated to energy innovation. From creating the home standby generator market category, to our current evolution into an energy technology solutions company, we continue to push new boundaries.

The Forecasting Analyst - Consumer Power will lead the demand sales forecasting process for the Consumer Power business group, by creating and submitting monthly demand forecasts for three key business channels, driving and measuring forecast accuracy of key products and channels, monitoring demand forecast relative to actual POS and market demand results, optimizing inventory and SKU mix, and collaborating with cross-functional team members. The role requires a highly analytical and detail-oriented approach to analyzing available data and market intelligence relative to forecast, history, and current market activity to provide reporting and actionable insights on market demand, customer behavior, and sell-through results. The successful candidate will leverage their professional sales forecast experience to propose solutions for improving current processes and practices, working cross-functionally to implement solutions that improve automation, forecast accuracy, and primary working capital.

Job Duties:

• Manage the current and future demand sales forecast for the Consumer Power business, including creating and submitting monthly demand forecasts for three key business channels in collaboration with the commercial team, business group finance team, and corporate Demand Planning team
• Provide reporting and present actionable insights on market demand, customer behavior, and sell-through results by analyzing available data and market intelligence relative to forecast, history, and current market activity
• Drive and measure forecast accuracy of key products and channels, improve forecast accuracy, root cause deviations, and design methods to improve outputs
• Monitor demand forecast relative to actual POS and market demand results, raising any concerns in trends to Commercial leaders, Corporate Demand Planning, and Finance for root cause and corrective action as needed
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members to optimize inventory and SKU mix to improve primary working capital measures and cash flow while maintaining market-leading service levels
• Support the three commercial channel VPs on certain analysis and reporting as needed
• Provide analysis as requested and communicate data to all levels of the organization in easy-to-understand terms that are actionable
• Optimize the reporting of and use of Point of Sale (POS) data from key retail customers, building out the tools, automation, reporting, and analysis to provide value to the business as well as utilizing it as an input into the demand plan
• This position specifically will focus on our portable generators and accessories businesses for the three key business channels within Consumer Power
• Manage the bi-annual Storm Commitment Process for portable generators from a demand perspective, working closely with the Director of Contracts, Corporate Supply Planning team, and Sales Operations team to ensure successful inventory availability during key seasonal times
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert for CP Sales Operations team on the Storm Response Committee, including reviewing and updating Sales teams processes, facilitating annual trainings and reviews prior to seasonal peaks, and acting as liaison between Storm Response Committee and the Sales teams.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Math, Business, Statistics, Supply Chain Management, Finance or other related field or equivalent experience

Work Experience:

• 2-3 years experience working directly with commercial team members on creating demand forecasts
• 2-3 years experience in forecasting or demand planning in retail channels
• Previous experience with Microsoft PowerBI, SAP, and Business Intelligence systems
• Previous experience working for a publicly traded company

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

• Previous manufacturing industry experience
• Experience with John Galt forecasting software or similar
• Experience with Salesforce software

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Proficient with statistical forecasting software and techniques (Python, R, SAS)

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.  On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”