This is your opportunity to make your mark with an energetic team and growing company!
We are in the process of building a new device demand forecasting system within Cricket. The Analyst - Demand Forecasting contributes to Cricket's success by maintaining an item/location level demand forecast for specific/assigned channels or product categories, which drive the planning processes that support attainment of sales forecasts and established customer objectives.
The main purpose of the Analyst - Demand Forecasting is to contribute to the CPFR and SM&OP process and support the teams in ensuring that forecasts are shared with key partners. This position proactively contributes to forecasting at assigned levels and reconciles forecasts coming from various sources across channels or functions.
The Analyst - Demand Forecasting is responsible for all aspects of demand forecasting and demand planning. Responsibilities include working with the field to develop and maintain a detailed bottom-up forecast model in Excel (by market, channel, retailer, and SKU) and analyzing sales results. This role will provide excellent service to our internal and external customer by exceeding expectations in customer service and communication through the use of analytical services. This Analyst - Demand Forecasting primary responsibility is keeping the customer supplied with the accurate levels of merchandise at the appropriate point in time to meet channel demands. This role requires an individual with strong analytical skills and financial acumen.
Cricket Communications, a subsidiary of Leap Wireless headquartered in San Diego, CA, is an affordable wireless service providing flat-rate unlimited products over high-quality, all-digital wireless networks that feature the latest technology. Cricket serves customers across the United States and is a pioneer of unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Cricket offers customers access to a variety of the latest phones and mobile applications such as unlimited text, instant and picture messaging, Mobile Web, popular games and ring-tones.
We are a fast growing, entrepreneurial, fast-paced, fun place to work. We offer competitive pay; performance-based bonuses; free mobile phone and service; paid time off; and advancement opportunities.
Cricket values diversity and inclusion - when everyone is included, the possibilities are UNLIMITED! To learn more about other career opportunities, Cricket Culture and benefits please visit: http://www.mycricket.com/aboutcricket/careers /.
Position Overview
Forecast Creation:
* Responsible for building forecast models to support demand forecasting.
* Create a unified top down forecast for all product lines (by week, market, channel, retailer, and SKU).
* Forecast Company Owned Stores new device sales as well as accessories.
* Work with the field sales team of each market gathering factual data (e.g., store count, previous forecasts, actual sales), challenging assumptions, and predicting likely sales patterns to keep the forecast up-to-date.
* Other Responsibilities would include:
o Weekly Forecast exception management
o Product to Door, and Market level planning
o Forecast accuracy for assigned product levels
o Analyze performance trends, identifies opportunities and risks and proactively communicate
o Supply planning exception analytics
o Team collaboration on weekly Replenishment exceptions
o Focus on delivering overall supply chain forecasting
o Analyze current and previous sales trends each product
o Analyze and forecast channel needs using a variety of tools
o Monitor inventory levels to meet channel customer needs
Ongoing Forecast Meeting Facilitation:
* Responsible for regular meetings with the field, the device team, and the finance team.
* Meet with the field on a weekly basis to develop a deep understanding of the business and trends in each market.
* Lead regular meetings with the device teams to keep them apprised of the rolling six-month demand forecast, as well as meetings with finance to facilitate integration of demand planning into the overall business budget.
* Responsible for all aspects of business analysis throughout the life of a project including:
o analytical techniques
o data gathering techniques
o current system documentation
o business modeling methods
o business process
o data gathering to solve complex issues
o key analytical troubleshooting
o MS Project
* Review all new Descriptions and Change Requests to provide analysis and recommendations on how to implement while ensuring fit" with the business and technical visions.
* Partner with Business Owner and cross-functional team members to understand the intent of the Description and document it in such a way that the functional teams can create detailed system requirements.
* Using Description document, perform detailed cross-functional impact assessment and compile results. Provide detailed analysis of the impact assessment summary and articulate the impact on existing systems, processes, and organizations.
* Track all requirements for compliance and completion.
Reporting and Analysis:
* Work with sales and device team to gather and prepare monthly reporting vis--vis forecast and actual sales for senior management, explaining where sales are heading and why and outlining what the business requires to support the forecast.
* Work with field to document, understand, and explain the internal and external drivers of significant variances between the forecast and actual's.
* Recommend mitigation plans where targets are not being met and suggest ways to broaden positive impact where targets are being exceeded.
Other Responsibilities would include:
* Gather and prepare daily, weekly, monthly reporting from Cricket business systems for Cricket's product portfolio
* Uses quality tools and professional concepts to solve diverse problems.
* Demonstrates ability to apply professional tools such as JDA, Oracle, Kognos Reporting, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) and Microsoft Project, Access, Visio.
* Prepares or aids in the preparation of weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly device forecasts at various levels and markets
* Contribute to a culture that promotes teamwork and drive; develop team-oriented behavior by positive leadership, holding regular team meetings, providing information and resources, involving others in planning and decision making.
* Contribute to an environment that encourages open communication and trust in which team members are motivated and achieve objectives
Required Qualifications
* BA in business- or math-related field or Equivalent Industry Experience
* Experience in wireless/ prepaid wireless, telecom, retail forecasting, and/or consumer electronics industries
* 5 + years experience in forecasting, financial analytics, demand planning, etc.
* Strong analytical skills
* 3-5 years experience with JDA Demand planning and/or other demand planning systems
* 3-5 years experience with Analysis or creation of demand forecast scenarios in support of marketing initiatives and other drivers of supply and demand variability
* Proven experience with forecast performance analytics to drive improved forecast accuracy.
* Understanding of supply line management and demand forecasting processes
* Advanced modeling in Excel
* Ability to implement and deliver on aggressive timelines
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
Preferred Qualifications
* Operationally competent in needs of mobile stakeholders groups
* Deep understanding of demand and supply market, supply chain and market dynamics
* 2+ years wireless industry experience
* 2+ years retail forecasting for wireless phones or similar consumer electronics products
* Proven understanding of marketing requirements and ability to weigh up time to market versus quality tradeoffs and make sound recommendations on this
* Proven experience with customer segments and demand planning
* Broad-based experience managing forecasting deliverables: statistical, bottom-up, top-down, consensus
Our full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:
Medical, Dental and Vision
Domestic Partner Coverage
Company Paid Life Insurance
Company Paid Dependent Life
Company Paid Disability
3 Weeks Vacation
Sick time
Holiday Pay
Jury Duty Pay
Travel Accident Insurance
401(k) with Company Match
Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Assistance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Adoption Assistance
Fitness Reimbursement
Group Auto & Home Insurance Discount
Discounted Phones & Service for Immediate Family
We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
