Forecast and Planning Analyst

We've been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with 120,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you'll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you'll also get to see your impact.

**About the team**

Technology is the backbone of our business. Every day, our teams solve complex problems, the solutions help thousands of our fellow team members succeed and makes millions of customers’ lives easier.

**About the role**

A new, permanent opportunity of a Forecast and Commercial Analyst for a is now available at the Coles Group.

The main objective of this position will include:

- Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts using manual statistical methods (e.g., time series analysis, regression models)
- Analyse historical sales data, trends, seasonality market conditions and promotional activity to identify demand patterns and drivers and to develop accurate sales and order forecasts at annual, quarterly, weekly and daily levels.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and adjust projections based on changing business or market conditions.
- Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to gather insights and align on demand forecasts. Analyse customer behaviour, purchase patterns and preferences using customer data and analytics tools.
- Develop customer segmentation and targeting strategies based on analytics insights.
- Provide analytical support for promotional activities and measuring incrementality.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in demand forecasting and customer analytics.

**Key responsibilities will include**

**Sales forecasting for CFCs**
- Analyse historical sales data, trends, seasonality, and market conditions to develop accurate sales and order forecasts at annual, quarterly, weekly and daily levels.
- Evaluate and refine forecasting models using statistical methods and predictive analytics.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and adjust projections based on changing business or market conditions.
- Collaborate with CFC growth, finance, planning, ONG, Ops to align forecasts with business strategies.

**Data analysis to support CFC sales Growth**
- Prepare regular and ad hoc reports on sales performance, variances, and trends for leadership review.
- Accurate and timely delivery of data analysis, extraction and manipulation in support the development of new market segments for the direct business
- Analyse customer behaviour purchase patterns, and preferences using customer data and analytics tools.
- Develop customer segmentation and targeting strategies based on analytics insights.
- Provide analytical support for promotional activities and measuring incrementality.

**Self - Leadership (no direct reports)**
- Accountable for individual compliance with company values, policies and procedures (including Coles Code of Conduct) and all applicable external laws and regulations.

**About you & your skills**
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Statistics, or related field (Master’s degree, preferred).
- 4+ years of experience in sales forecasting or a related analytical role.
- Familiarity with statistical modelling techniques and forecasting software.
- Previous experience preparing annual, quarterly and weekly sales forecasts within a large / complex multi-division organisation
- Creation and management of comprehensive, complex and structured financial models.
- Demonstrated experience in a planning environment including driving process improvement
- Previous exposure to Retail or FMCG environments

**Commercial Skills and Formal Qualifications**
- Advanced analytical and financial modelling skills. Proficient user of Excel pivot tables, vlookups, macros, nested functions.
- Proficient in scripting in SQL and Python/R using snowflake for data extraction and model building
- Sound knowledge of data visualisation technique and building reports in Power BI
- Data Analysis, data extraction and transformation
- Demonstrated commercial acumen, with exposure to delivering successful outcomes in commercial environments
- Strong understanding of commercial drivers and business strategy development
- Presentation of complex financial information to all levels of the organisation
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing skills and storytelling ability
- Excellent communication skills to be able to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Capable of working collaboratively with teams and leaders across Digital

**What’s in it for you?**

- **Flexible working options**:
We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
- **
Office perks**:
Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves,