The Opportunity: Mattel is currently seeking a Specialist to lead the forecasting and planning for a top retailer.  This role will be a member of a dynamic team focused on collaborative sales forecasting and inventory management.  The S.P.A. Specialist will be instrumental in supporting both the Sales team and the customer inventory and planning teams in areas of forecasting, planning, and order fulfillment.  What Your Impact Will Be: Serves as subject matter expert (SME) on assigned account and brands.Forecasting capabilities – Lead the analysis of sales trends to improve weekly item level POS projections.   Own and align these plans with internal stake holders and retail partners to ensure we have a collaborative plan at retail.Determine appropriate model for evaluating item level forecasts and analysis, considering information such as total end consumer consumption forecasts, brand/product history, history of similar comparable brands/products, inventory levels and marketing programs.Consumption analysis – Determine a weekly shipping plan by item, by channel, to support POS plans, retailer in-stock and future order needs. Create product flow pattern based on criteria such as seasonality profiles, planned promotions, distribution and price point.Attend internal consensus meetings to present and share understanding of POS demand forecasts, provide key data findings to cross-functional S&OP teams to reach a consensus forecast on a month to month basis.Actively participate alongside Mattel sales team in key collaborative forecasting meetings with Buyers and Replenishment Managers.  Present business findings and recommend action plan for the season. Deliver store in-stock metrics by influencing the end-to-end order process including order creation, reviewing daily orders, maintaining perfect PO’s, and optimizing fill rate.Direct the execution of our Direct Import business out of Asia, partnering closely with the Customer Service team in our Hong Kong office.
