Lead Forecast Manager (All Genders)

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.

• 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

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