Demand Forecasting & Analytics Consultant (Hybrid: Lake Forest, IL) presso Circana

Demand Forecasting & Analytics Consultant

This role has a Hybrid work schedule, on-site in Lake Forest, IL approximately 1 day a week.

Let’s be unstoppable together!

At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives.  We’re a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work.  Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Circana is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Circana.

Learn more at www.circana.com.

What will you be doing?
You will work directly with the client as a trusted business partner to derive the “why of consumer behavior.  You will translate Circana analytical expertise into actionable, measurable insights to drive Circana clients’ business performance. You will leverage existing and new, innovative approaches to address potential new clients’ business challenges and market opportunities (i.e. brand equity, trade marketing, pricing and promotions). You’ll develop and maintain a deep understanding of clients’ businesses cross-functionally and a strong knowledge of new and emerging analytic solutions (both within Circana and industry) that anticipate and strategically position Circana client for success.

Demand Forecasting Expertise:
A strong understanding of demand forecasting is central to success in this role. Accurate forecasting goes beyond statistical modeling — it informs strategic decisions around pricing, promotion, production, and inventory management for our clients. The ability to interpret forecast outcomes, explain their implications, and connect them to real business actions is critical. Consultants in this role are expected to bridge analytics and strategy by helping clients anticipate shifts in consumer demand, quantify the impact of external factors, and translate predictive insights into actionable recommendations that drive measurable growth.  

Job Responsibilities:
To be successful as a Client Insights Consultant you must possess and be able to execute upon three key skill sets:

Advanced Analytic Skills:  Demonstrate ability to analyze and interpret analytics solutions and models and translate it into meaningful solutions for clients:

- Approach client with coherent, actionable and fact-based data/recommendations appropriate to their business needs

- Continually provide analytical solutions and business insights to address any business gaps and/or opportunities and create value for the client

- Identify business issues and opportunities and suggests the appropriate level analytic solution/approach

Impactful Presence:  Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication and presentation skills; present a professional image:

- Become trusted by client, Circana cross functional organizations and considered a domain expert and business partner

- Educate the client on analytic methods, shape their thinking and influence the decisions they make

- Demonstrate a flexible approach to communication; adapt messages quickly to the appropriate level or function with poise and polish

- C-level presence

Client Focus:  Consistently act with client satisfaction in mind and follow through on commitments to ensure the needs of the client are met:

- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of customer needs and requirements

- Help customers identify solutions to problems they did not know they had

- Regularly and proactively communicate with the client-facing teams, including soliciting feedback to continually improving the relationship

-Track and organize multiple work streams against multiple clients, and manage time and resources against changing priorities

 Must-Have Requirements:

• 5+ progressive years of experience in advanced analytics with a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or marketing analytics company experience
• Expertise in Demand Forecasting (and be able to participate in a case study proving knowledge on this topic)
• Demonstrated expertise in translating POS data and analysis into relevant implications within the CPG industry
• Ability to build a rapport across functions and levels within an organization
• Ability to do data mining work working with large data sets to glean and integrate insights from a variety of data sources
• Experience with price elasticity models, demand forecasting, product assortment/ linear regressions and other complex statistical tools required

 Nice-to-Have Requirements:

• Experience with Circana or other syndicated data solutions is preferred
• Proven ability to consult with clients to influence thinking
• Master’s degree preferred, open to bachelor’s with the right experience
• Ability to engage in a consultative manner across multiple levels (c-suite to end user) with a strong executive presence, demonstrating strong presentation and influencing skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and balance competing client priorities

Circana Behaviors
As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes that are required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day-to-day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions.
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action.
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices.
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers.
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement.
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect, and integrity.
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone.

Location
This position can be located in the following area(s): Chicago area and/or commutable at least one-day per week to Lake Forest, Illinois.

Circana Behaviors
As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes that are required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day-to-day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect and integrity
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone

The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. The salary range for this role is $130,000 to $150,000.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including [paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k)] to eligible employees.

You can apply for this role through methods such as our Careers website link and/or Intranet site for internal candidates. This role is subject to AI-assisted screening. Circana uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess resumes for alignment with job requirements by helping locate details in resumes that relate to the job description.

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