Lead Forecast Manager (All Genders)

Job Description

The Lead Forecasting Manager plays a critical role in forecasting customer demand and collaborating with cross-functional teams to continuously improve forecast accuracy. This includes:

• Running the cross-functional forecasting process
• Identifying and eliminating root causes for deviations
• Addressing opportunities and initiating optimizations of forecasting models and tools
• Contributing forecast intelligence to our S&OP/E processes and Weekly Business Reviews.
• Take full ownership of the SKU/article forecasting process across all horizons and domains, ensuring accuracy, robustness, and scalability while driving continuous improvement.
• Act as the central interface between Demand & Inventory, Product/Tech and business teams—translating business needs into forecasting solutions and enabling data-driven decisions in S&OP/E.
• Establish and steer KPI-driven performance management, proactively identifying root causes for deviations and initiating impactful corrective actions.
• Develop, maintain and present regular and ad-hoc reports on SKU/article forecasting performance KPI and pro-actively uncover root causes for critical deviations.
• Lead strategic initiatives to standardize, simplify and enhance SKU/article forecasting processes, tools and data flows across the organization.
• Deliver clear, relevant and actionable forecasting insights that directly influence business decisions, risks and opportunities.

Qualifications

• University degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or Business Administration or Supply Chain Management with clear focus on quantitative analytics
• 5+ years of relevant experience gained in a forecasting role (e.g. sales/demand/SKU/inbound/outbound forecasting, data analytics, business intelligence)
• Proven experience in applying and advancing statistical forecasting models at SKU/article level, within a fast-paced environment (e.g. CPG/FMCG/e-commerce)
• Ability to read and query data with SQL at least on intermediate level; Advanced MS Excel and MS PowerPoint user; Experience with MS Power BI and Tableau is a big plus
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to optimize processes and to drive informed decision-making
• Being precise and pragmatic at the same time – flexibly applying methods required in the respective situation
• Open-minded team player with an ability to present complex ideas in a simple but meaningful way

Additional Information

With more than 1,000 passionate professionals located across 6 European offices, we believe our success comes from working together and leveraging our international strengths. Expect a hybrid work setup: 60% in-office, 40% remote, collaborating with colleagues across locations.

Our benefits:
🐾 20% discount in our zooplus shop
📖 Internal and external training
🎈 Team events
#LI-Hybrid
✈️ 28 vacation days and days off on 24th and 31st of December
🏋️ Wellhub membership for gyms, online training, mindfulness and beyond
📱 Company mobile phone for work and personal use