Sales Forecaster jobs
Productivity of goods and the logistics of getting them from their raw materials sites to the shops, forecourts and wholesalers is all influenced by one thing: demand. There is no point producing millions of a product when there is only demand for hundreds of thousands. At the same time, though, producing hundreds of thousands when there’s a demand for millions will mean that the company is not as profitable as it could be and customers will look to your competition to fulfil their demand.
Keeping track of demand will be the task of the sales forecaster. The sales forecaster will have a series of statistics at his or her disposal on which to base the likely demand figures. At the root will be the ongoing sales charts, which will show trends over long periods of time, from which expected seasonal changes can be worked out. However there are other demand drivers at play, which must also be taken into account. If the sales and marketing team are organising a campaign, the sales forecaster will need to know – similarly if, say, a retailer is doing their own promotion on a product.
This is vital because the production, procurement and logistics teams will all need to know their expected levels of work and acquisition of raw materials. By having a more accurate picture they will be able to arrange supply, staffing, warehousing and transportation needs. Forecasters will generally work in the medium and short term timescales, the latter ideally being a fine-tuning of the former. No forecast can be 100% accurate, but by delivering workable predictions to production planners, the supply chain can be optimised.
The skills required
Expertise in forecasting and sales & marketing will generally be considered positive skills in the forecaster. Also, an understanding of demand cycles within the industry in question will definitely stand the applicant in good stead.
With large and varied amounts of data coming into play, the sales forecaster will need an aptitude in cutting through the irrelevant data and seeking out the little gems that make the predictions more precise. The communications skills cannot be underestimated, either. Data will not always be on charts and graphs; it will sometimes be verbal, in the form of information from sales teams on the ongoing campaigns or leads. Any conclusions drawn from the data will then need to be clearly communicated to planners and production managers.
Sales Forecaster Jobs in East Sussex
Bordered by Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, East Sussex is a ceremonial county in the south-east that is situated on the English Channel. It comprises communities like Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove, Hastings and Newhaven, and offers a variety of opportunities for those seeking Sales Forecaster jobs.
In the 5th century, the South Saxons settled in the region that would later become known as Sussex, although archaeological evidence suggests that humans and their ancient predecessors may have been living in the region for more than 400,000 years.
During the 16th and early 17th centuries, glass making was an important part of the East Sussex economy, although this mainly died out in the 1600s as competition with the East Midlands took over.
These days, East Sussex is a popular tourist destination and much of its economy is based in the service sector and retail.
Brighton is home to a number of financial services companies, including the European headquarters of American Express. Other companies include the Body Shop, and various media and tech companies have moved to the area since the 1990s.
What's more, East Sussex also comprises two important port towns. Newhaven is used mainly by ferry companies that travel between France and England, such as LD Lines and Transmanche Ferries. Meanwhile, Rye is predominantly used for fishing and yachting.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
As Cast UK only deal with logistics, procurement and supply chain, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the best position for you.
People approach Cast UK for many reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide.
We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because supply chain, procurement and logistics are the only sectors we deal with. Our founder members and consultants all come from these sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Sales Forecaster for your business or find you a job as a Sales Forecaster then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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