<p><strong><u>Business Analyst, Demand Forecasting</u><br /> Location:</strong> Burlingame, CA — Hybrid preferred (3 days onsite)<br /> <strong>Contract:</strong> 12 months, with potential for extension or conversion<br /> <strong>Schedule:</strong> 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday<br /> <strong>Pay Rate:</strong> $55/hr - $59/hr on W2<br /> <strong>Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO</strong></p>
<p><u><strong>About the Role</strong></u></p>
<p>Our client is seeking a <strong>Business Analyst, Demand Forecasting</strong> to support demand planning across its <strong>VR headset and wearable product lines</strong>. This role will own and develop <strong>sell-through and sell-in forecasts</strong>, analyze weekly and monthly business performance, and translate complex datasets into actionable insights for business leaders.</p>
<p>The ideal candidate is highly analytical and hands-on, with experience in <strong>consumer hardware demand forecasting, sales planning, business analytics, or related disciplines</strong>. You will collaborate closely with Sales, Channel Operations, Category Management, Marketing, and Data Analytics teams to improve forecast accuracy and identify opportunities to drive business performance.</p>
<p>This role provides an opportunity to work directly with cutting-edge <strong>AR/VR and wearable hardware</strong> and influence production, inventory, and product launch decisions.</p>
<p><strong><u>Key Responsibilities</u></strong></p>
<ul> <li>Build and maintain <strong>bottom-up Sell-Through and Sell-In forecasts</strong> using quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources.</li> <li>Forecast and track <strong>weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual sales performance</strong> for VR headsets, wearables, accessories, and other hardware products.</li> <li>Own <strong>actuals vs. forecast vs. goal</strong> analysis and identify root causes behind performance gaps.</li> <li>Develop mitigation plans and communicate recommendations to relevant stakeholders.</li> <li>Partner with Sales Account Managers, Category Managers, Data Analysts, Marketing, and Channel Operations teams to improve demand planning and identify growth opportunities.</li> <li>Analyze large datasets to identify <strong>trends, dependencies, correlations, and demand signals</strong> that can improve forecast accuracy.</li> <li>Develop and implement tools, techniques, and processes to continuously improve forecasting accuracy.</li> <li>Communicate forecast assumptions, business drivers, risks, and the potential impact of strategic initiatives to cross-functional teams.</li> <li>Partner with Channel Operations teams to support <strong>production, inventory, and product launch decisions</strong>.</li> <li>Prepare and present forecasting results, performance insights, and recommendations to business leaders.</li> <li>Support recurring weekly and monthly forecasting activities while responding to ad-hoc analytical requests.</li> <li>Proactively identify necessary forecast changes and adjustments based on evolving business conditions.</li> </ul>
<p><u><strong>Must-Have Qualifications</strong></u></p>
<ul> <li><strong>4+ years of experience in demand forecasting, sales forecasting, or demand planning for hardware products</strong>, including accessories.</li> <li><strong>6+ years of experience in business strategy, finance, business analytics, sales planning, or a related analytical discipline.</strong></li> <li>Hands-on experience developing and maintaining <strong>quantitative forecasting models</strong> using multiple datasets.</li> <li>Experience analyzing <strong>actuals vs. forecast vs. goals</strong> and identifying root causes of performance gaps.</li> <li>Strong proficiency with <strong>Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets</strong>.</li> <li>Strong <strong>PowerPoint and presentation skills</strong>, with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear business insights.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience working with <strong>cross-functional stakeholders</strong> across Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Analytics, or related functions.</li> <li>Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to identify <strong>trends, dependencies, correlations, and business drivers</strong>.</li> <li>Ability to <strong>dive into the details and independently execute</strong> day-to-day and week-to-week forecasting activities.</li> <li>Strong verbal and written communication skills.</li> <li>Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent practical experience may be considered.</li> </ul>
<p><u><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></u></p>
<ul> <li>Experience with <strong>physical consumer goods, consumer electronics, or hardware products</strong>.</li> <li>Experience supporting <strong>VR/AR, wearables, connected devices, or other technology hardware</strong>.</li> <li>Experience forecasting <strong>Sell-Through and Sell-In</strong> across multiple channels, including retail and direct-to-consumer.</li> <li>Experience with forecasting or demand-planning systems such as <strong>o9</strong> or similar platforms.</li> <li>Experience supporting <strong>product launches, production planning, inventory planning, or channel operations</strong>.</li> <li>Experience working with large and complex datasets and converting analysis into <strong>actionable business forecasts</strong>.</li> <li>Experience independently managing forecasting processes from <strong>data collection through analysis, presentation, and follow-up</strong>.</li> <li>Experience developing processes or tools designed to improve <strong>forecast accuracy and planning efficiency</strong>.</li> <li>Experience working in a fast-paced <strong>technology, consumer electronics, or high-growth environment</strong>.</li> </ul>
<p><u><strong>Ideal Candidate Profile</strong></u></p>
<p>The ideal candidate is a <strong>hands-on demand forecasting and business analytics professional</strong>, rather than someone focused exclusively on high-level strategy.</p>
<p>They should be comfortable working directly with data, building forecasting models, analyzing business performance, preparing presentations, and communicating recommendations to stakeholders. Experience with <strong>physical consumer products or hardware</strong> is highly valuable.</p>
<p>Candidates whose experience is primarily limited to <strong>high-level strategy, without hands-on ownership of day-to-day and week-to-week forecasting activities</strong>, may not be the right fit for this opportunity.</p>
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