Valent USA is looking for a Sales Analyst / Demand Planner to join our team in San Ramon, CA.

Valent U.S.A. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, engages in the development, registration, sales, and marketing of integrated technological solutions for crop production and pest management that deliver value for our customers and stakeholders. A leading crop protection firm serving the agricultural and non-crop products markets in North America, Valent products help growers produce safe and abundant food and fiber crops, and horticultural professionals improve the quality of life for their customers. The corporate motto, Products That Work, From People Who Care®, describes the company's business philosophy. Valent seeks out and provides customers with innovative and effective solutions to their production challenges. Our vision is to be the best company delivering integrated solutions of biorational and traditional crop protection solutions to our customers. Valent is dedicated to creating a world that is healthier and more comfortable, and that has a sustainable abundance of quality, affordable food, helping crops to be the ultimate renewable resource.

General Description:

This position is responsible for overseeing and coordinating forecasting activities associated with Valent’s branded agriculture product sales. Coordinate with multiple commercial teams to develop monthly consensus forecast models that incorporate business intelligence, bias analysis and forecast information gathered from Sales, Marketing, Planning and Supply Chain. Lead and facilitate the monthly entry of a Demand Forecast to develop and update short-term and long-term financial forecasts. Act as the key integration point for assumptions and predictions across multiple commercial functions while modeling paths forward and providing analysis of forecasted outcomes that include upsides opportunity and risks associated with delivering needed end results.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the demand forecast process within sales and coordinated closely with marketing to meet required timelines for sales, production, and financial planning.
• Develop demand forecasts at multiple levels within the organization to aggregate an agreed consensus forecast by set timing that determines material purchases, manufacturing requirements, and customer seasonal demands for product sales and use.
• Improve accuracy of demand forecast: 

1. Challenge forecast irregularities to projections.
2. Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models. 
3. Evaluate forecast results versus assumptions, competitive intel and market trends.
4. Coordinate cross-functional reconciliation when significant variances occur and then refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.

• Create statistical forecasts and sales analysis:

1. Gather, analyze, and validate data.
2. Execute statistical modeling software.
3. Review resulting statistical forecast model.
4. Apply error or bias analysis techniques to improve forecasting.
5. Summarize/aggregate statistical forecasts.

• Interact as a teammate with sales, marketing, planning, finance and supply chain to understand demand forecast drivers and the impacts of demand changes and ensure that current, accurate information is used for demand forecast creation.
• Champion IBP adoption and acceptance within the sales and commercial organization by acting as a key owner and trainer on forecasting process, systems tools, Demand Planning software, or other forecasting tools that are adopted to assist the process.
• Continuous improvement - identify opportunities to improve forecasts, process & systems/tools to increase accuracy that drives positive business results.
• Provide input in developing internal and customer inventory strategies for existing and new products by helping monitor seasonal sales environment and market trends.
• Review regional sales plans and management guidance including demand drivers and capturing market assumptions vital to forecast accuracy:

1. Present, solicit, perform analysis, and assess feedback from multiple stakeholders on the various forecasts from sales and marketing while partnering with planning and supply chain.
2. Lead discussion to the recommended adjustments for operational forecasts.
3. Incorporate promotional marketing tactics, expected impacts of contingencies, and apply dates to the actions and expected correlated increases in sales.

• Provide input to supply and volume planning, help develop Latest Best Estimates and assist in improvement of overall IBP process.

1. Facilitate and represent inputs from regional sales, strategic accounts, and marketing.
2. Aggregate a monthly consensus forecast with departments involved in the projection of sales

• Maintain demand planning process, systems, and needed analytical reports pertaining to demand planning process

Qualifications:

• BA/BS required, MBA or equivalent preferred, with 10 years of related experience
• Negotiation skills, Teamwork, Communication, Collaboration, Presentation skills and public speaking ability, and Process/Detail Orientation
• Experience in IBP or demand forecasting
• High level of analytical skill and excel knowledge 
• Ability to translate numbers and data into reliable insight
• Analysis and problem-solving skills including the ability to question, accurately identify a need, and present an effective solution
• Experience in inventory management systems, project planning software, etc.

Physical Demands and Work Environment (OFFICE Position)

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands include constant sitting, walking, standing, simple grasping and fine manipulation with hands; frequent bending at the neck and waist; and occasional squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling, twisting at the neck and waist, power grasping, pushing and pulling with hands, reaching above shoulder level, lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.
• Work Environment includes exposure to or working in or around equipment and machinery including a computer keyboard and mouse.
• Frequency Definitions: Constant = Over 40% / Frequent = Up to 40% / Occasional = Up to 10%