Business Analyst

 Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low-calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.

We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Come grow with us! This role is 100% onsite, at the manufacturing plant in Indianapolis, IN.

SCOPE:

The Business Analyst, Materials & Ingredients is responsible for providing analytical support to the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement organization through data-driven insights, reporting, forecasting, and market intelligence. This role supports the development and execution of sourcing strategies by analyzing spending, supplier performance, commodity trends, inventory positions, and procurement activities across direct materials and ingredients.

The Business Analyst transforms complex data into actionable recommendations that improve cost management, supply continuity, operational efficiency, and business performance. Working closely with Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Finance, Operations, Planning, Quality, and R&D teams, this position supports annual savings initiatives, commodity forecasting, supplier management programs, and business planning activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Procurement & Spend Analytics

• Develop and maintain spend analytics dashboards by supplier, category, commodity, plant, and product line.
• Analyze purchasing trends, pricing changes, and sourcing activities to identify cost savings opportunities and operational efficiencies.
• Support sourcing teams by preparing bid analyses, supplier comparisons, total cost of ownership evaluations, and decision-support models.
• Monitor purchase price variance (PPV) performance and provide detailed reporting on savings initiatives and cost impacts.
• Validate supplier pricing updates and ensure accurate reporting of procurement metrics.

Commodity Intelligence & Market Analysis

• Monitor key commodity markets impacting ingredient and material costs.
• Track commodity indexes, market reports, supply-demand dynamics, and economic trends affecting procurement categories.
• Develop market intelligence reports and communicate insights to sourcing leadership and key stakeholders.
• Support forecasting activities by modeling anticipated commodity cost movements and potential business impacts.
• Assist in identifying risks and opportunities related to market volatility and supply constraints.

Supplier Performance & Risk Analytics

• Develop supplier scorecards measuring quality, delivery, service, responsiveness, and overall performance.
• Analyze supplier performance trends and identify areas for improvement or risk mitigation.
• Support quarterly business reviews through preparation of supplier performance reports and presentations.
• Monitor supplier concentration, dependency, and continuity risks.
• Assist in supplier qualification and business continuity initiatives through data collection and analysis.

Inventory & Supply Chain Analysis

• Analyze inventory levels, consumption patterns, safety stock positions, and service performance.
• Partner with Planning and Operations teams to identify opportunities to improve working capital and inventory efficiency.
• Support material availability reviews and investigate potential supply disruption risks.
• Develop reporting tools that improve visibility into inventory health and material usage trends.
• Assist with root-cause analysis related to shortages, excess inventory, and supplier performance issues.

Annual Operating Plan (AOP) & Financial Support

• Support development of the Annual Operating Plan through spend forecasting and commodity cost modeling.
• Prepare financial analyses related to sourcing projects, cost savings initiatives, and supplier negotiations.
• Partner with Finance to understand commodity inflation, cost trends, and budget implications.
• Maintain forecasting models used to support procurement and sourcing decision-making.
• Provide analytical support for strategic projects and executive reporting requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• 2 to 5 years of experience in business analytics, procurement, supply chain, finance, purchasing, operations analysis, or a related analytical role.
• Experience within manufacturing, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or supply chain environments preferred.
• Experience working with large data sets, reporting tools, and business intelligence platforms.

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, and data modeling.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, inventory management, and supply chain concepts.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or similar platforms preferred.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis, forecasting methodologies, and financial modeling techniques.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

Analytical Problem Solver

• Naturally curious and capable of transforming complex data into actionable business insights.
• Identifies trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities proactively.

Commercially Astute

• Understands how commodity markets, supplier performance, and sourcing decisions impact business results.
• Balances analytical rigor with practical business recommendations.

Detail-Oriented & Data Driven

• Maintains a high level of accuracy while managing large data sets and multiple reporting requirements.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and data integrity.

Effective Communicator

• Communicates analytical findings clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Creates meaningful visualizations and presentations that support decision-making.

Collaborative Partner

• Works effectively across Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Operations, Quality, and R&D functions.
• Builds strong relationships and contributes positively to cross-functional teams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time and interact with computers, telephone, and other electronic media.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs. 
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records and evaluate packaging/print proofs.
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend to meet project launch deadlines.