Demand Planning Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION
This position will lead the demand planning process for a subset of products and customers in the North America Tire business. Scope will include developing and analyzing sales and order history, maintaining statistical models, and collaborating across functions to incorporate key growth drivers. This resource will also be working on forecast-related continuous improvement projects, either independently or as part of a team. This position is accountable for improving key forecast accuracy and bias metrics for area of responsibility.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment 'Our Way to Serve,' Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leads forecast development at an item / customer group / distribution center level through the operational horizon (0-18 months) for customers and products in scope of responsibilities.
- Performs statistical analysis and gathers appropriate inputs from various groups (Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Manufacturing).
- Incorporates drivers of demand into the forecast to reflect the expected impact of promotional events and sales incentives, pricing and product strategies, and new product introductions and discontinuations.
- Investigates root causes of forecast error, develops preventive/corrective measures, and implements those measures to drive meaningful improvement.
- Act as subject-matter expert on assigned accounts and products as needed through the Integrated Business Planning process.
- Brings a strong, transformation mindset, driving process and system improvements to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the forecasting process.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or technical field.
- Minimum 3 years experience in Demand Planning, Analytics, Supply Chain, or Finance.
- Strong understanding of forecasting concepts, models, and statistical techniques, plus impact of forecast on supply chain and financial processes.
- Analytical and critical thinking skills. Ability to identify trends and evaluate if result is reasonable.
- Ability to work across the spectrum of macro to micro and be comfortable with ambiguity.
- Comfortable with negotiation, able to reach alignment without damaging relationships.
- Self-starter and experience proactively identifying improvements and leading change without being directly instructed to do so by manager.
- Experience with demand planning software solutions, as well as proficiency in Excel is required.
- Excellent communication skills, including ability to work effectively with remote teams.
- CPF or ACPF certification preferred.
Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.