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Dow's Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) Improve & Scale Digital Solutions team delivers value to the company, our businesses, our customers, and our employees by defining, enabling, and supporting processes and system capability needed by our businesses. We represent ISC on corporate, business, and functional initiatives and partner with the businesses and leveraged functions, globally and regionally to drive continuous improvement and to scale digital solutions, delivering value for Dow.
About You
We are looking for a Global Demand Planning & Analytics Analyst (DP&A Analyst), aligned to the ISC Scale & Continuous Improvement Planning Capability team, located in one of the ISC hubs (Midland, MI, United States; Houston, TX, United States; Terneuzen, Netherlands; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India).
In this role, you will support the Demand Management process at DOW and are responsible for generating statistical forecasts using historical sales and external market indicators to perform a series of analysis which includes product segmentation and performance measurement (accuracy, bias, FVA, etc.). The focus should be on driving continuous improvement of statistical forecasts and playing a key role in influencing Demand Managers (DM) to use statistical forecast where appropriate to improve the business demand plan. You will also be responsible for identifying opportunities to improve final plan accuracy by analyzing historical performance and recommending appropriate actions to the DMs. You will need to be able to communicate the results from statistical forecast generation and analytics to DMs in a simple and effective way using reporting and visualization tools. Other key responsibilities include training DMs on DP&A activities, supporting continuous improvement projects and performing ad-hoc analysis outside of the Demand Management area as required.
You will also be responsible for the following tasks:
Responsible for the integrity of historical sales and master data that are used in generation of future statistical forecasts. Drills down on issues that are visible at the aggregated level to root cause data issues at the detailed level. Identifies outliers in historical time-series data and makes necessary adjustments in consultation with DMs. Works with master data steward in the business and corrects issues related to master data.
Uses historical trends, seasonality, and life cycle to generate statistical forecasts at the right level of product hierarchy as determined by business and analytics. Ensures that best statistical fit is automatically selected by the forecasting tool or manually applied from a range of available techniques and models in the tool. Makes sure the statistical forecast generated at an aggregate level is disaggregated to the detailed level in alignment with disaggregation rules set up in the tool.
Performs month-to-month change, trend analysis, and seasonality analyses to identify opportunities for improvement of statistical forecasts. Discusses the opportunities with DMs to understand business reason behind the change and take appropriate actions in tuning statistical models. Based on statistical variability, recommends right approach to DMs – whether to use the statistical forecast or add market intelligence.
Maintains and updates the list of new and phase-out products. Identifies opportunities for realignment and ensures realignment is performed by DMs. Receives phase out plan from DMs and updates statistical forecasts based on input. Ensures new products are created and phased-out products are removed from the tool.
Supports the business by segmenting products based on several different criteria (volume, margin, forecast error, coefficient of variance). Identifies significant gaps between statistical forecasts and final plan generated by DMs for discussion in demand review meetings.
Performs plan accuracy and bias analysis at aggregate and detailed level for corrective actions. Ensures DMs are aware of performance issues and help them identify corrective actions through additional analytical support. Also, performs Forecast Value Add (FVA) analysis to show value is added or not during different steps in the demand management work process.
Generates standard reports (plan accuracy report, bias report, FVA report) and any additional reports as required by the process and summarizes the results to support continuous improvement efforts across the business. Automate reporting in DSR or Power BI.
Provides data and analytical support to projects focused on continuous improvement of processes, systems and training. Use programming languages (python, R, etc.) to extract data and model them.
Your knowledge, skills and abilities required for success are:
Process Knowledge – Understands the importance of demand planning and how it impacts the overall business performance. Knowledge of best practices in demand planning that leads to an unbiased volume forecast. Knowledge of broader business and supply chain planning processes (e.g., sales and operations planning, inventory planning, supply planning and financial planning) is a plus.
Statistical Knowledge – Strong knowledge of time-series forecasting techniques, multivariate techniques, correlation/regression analysis and historical patterns. Based on the historical pattern, should be able to identify the intrinsic nature of the product (e.g., trend, seasonality, lifecycle, statistical variability, structural changes) that helps in grouping of products based on patterns and fine tuning of system generated statistical forecasts. Understands the risks associated with statistical forecasting and strives to reduce the risk through data cleansing and market intelligence. Understands risks associated with bottom up and top-down forecasting and uses the right hierarchy level and approach for statistical forecast generation and aggregation or disaggregation of forecasts.
Systems Knowledge – Knowledge of planning (OM Partners - OMP), ERP (SAP) and reporting (BW) systems. Understands master data set up in ERP systems, transactional data in ERP related to demand planning and dynamics of data flow between multiple systems. Strong knowledge of time-series techniques used in statistical forecasting, aggregation/disaggregation, performance tracking and data viewing capabilities of planning/reporting systems. As super user of the demand planning system, understands the capabilities of the tool and utilizes the tool efficiently in accordance with policies and procedures. Should be able to integrate and validate data from multiple systems.
Performance Management – Sound knowledge of different performance metrics used to measure demand planning efficiency. Understands issues associated with forecasting methodologies, weighting across product and time horizon, month-to-month noises, sporadic demand, etc. Ability to root cause plan accuracy and bias issues and relate them to stakeholder and management behaviors.
Analytics – Ability to do complex analysis and translate them into understandable outcome and recommendations. Ability to identify “vital few from trivial many” based on filters. Ability to deal with large amount of data from multiple sources. Proficiency with programming languages (R, Python, SQL) and Excel is a important.
Reporting and Communication – Experience in communicating complex topics to different levels of audience within the organization in simple and effective manner. Knowledge of visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, BW) is critical to be able to translate complex analysis into simple visuals. Ability to quickly access reports and summarize/present them based on the requirements. Knows the importance of data integrity in reporting and gives high level of attention to details before reporting numbers.
Other knowledge, skills and abilities required for success are:
Successfully manages through ambiguous situation
Works well under pressure
Works well under limited supervision
Motivated to perform routine tasks
Can influence actions, individuals and results
Challenges the status quo
Exemplifies continuous improvement mindset
Possesses and utilizes interpersonal and presentation skills
Your required qualifications include:
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, related field or relevant military experience at an E6 rank/Petty Officer 2nd Class or higher is required.
A minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
Systems Knowledge: Statistical Tools, Planning Systems (e.g., OMP), Reporting Tools (BW, Tableau, Power BI).
Demonstrated experience in extracting data from multiple sources and performing complex analysis.
For U.S. Applicants: A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
Your preferred qualifications include:
3-5 years of experience in supply chain planning
Working knowledge of ERP systems
Certifications in forecasting and supply chain (CPIM, CSCP, CPF)
Programming Languages: R, Python, etc.
OM Partner (OMP) experience
Notes:
This position does not offer relocation assistance. This role is open to global locations but the recruiting will be managed in the United States. Please consider uploading a resume in English.
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About Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd
Dow Chemical International Private Limited (Dow India) aims to be the most innovative, sustainable, inclusive customer-centric materials science company. The company is committed to delivering the right solutions to its customers’ challenges. With broadest technology sets spanning performance materials, industrial intermediates, and plastics Dow India delivers differentiated science-based products and solutions in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, automobile, and consumer care.
A Great Place to Work® Certified company with approximately over 1000 employees, its operations comprise of manufacturing sites, innovation center, established centers of excellence, and commercial office. As a responsible corporate, the company supports its Corporate Social Responsibility (program) with technology expertise and employee volunteerism. Dow India works with non-profit partners towards the empowerment of differently abled, women, and children in communities where it operates. The company aims to redefine the societal blueprint, by supporting holistic sustainability and circular economy initiatives.
As part of our dedication to the diversity of our workforce, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.