Sr Manager, Strategic Forecasting

The Sr. Manager, Strategic Forecasting is a senior leader of the Global Forecasting Function within Global Commercial Strategy, a strategy consulting group within Biogen Idec (BIIB) that leads global strategy development and brand planning for in-line and pipeline products across multiple therapeutic categories.

This individual will have the opportunity to part of the building and driving the success of this new forecasting function and as such will be a highly visible commercial interface with BIIB senior leadership globally and cross functionally. S/he will play a proactive role in the assessment of commercial effectiveness of brand and organizational strategy and will be critical in driving improvements in commercial effectiveness. S/he will also have the opportunity to mentor and guide junior members of the forecasting team and thereby hone their managerial skills.

At an overall level, the Sr. Manager, Forecasting is responsible for innovation, creation and establishment of a forecast platform and forecasting best practices that will drive inform and advise global commercial success of BIIB brands.

Key responsibilities include:

1) Develop and refine forecast platform for Biogen Idec (BIIB) portfolio, including in-line and pipeline products across multiple therapeutic categories such as MS, ALS and Hemophilia.
2) Standardize inputs (conjoint vs. profile based MR etc.) and fundamental forecasting methodologies (e.g. patient flow based vs. agent based simulation) across BIIB.
3) Lead development and communication of GFP ie Good forecasting processes and practices, within BIIB n, specifically to regional affiliates and cross functional partners.
4) Establish processes to maintain and continually improve scope and accuracy of forecasting platform.
5) Serve as the central point of expertise for regional affiliates (primarily US and major EU markets) and cross functional partners to advise on forecasting questions.
6) Lead integration of forecast platform within BIIB IT infrastructure to provide automated and global access to forecast platform.
7) Work with forecast function lead to advise global brand teams and cross functional partners (ie manufacturing) on revenue forecasts and plausible scenario analysis.
8) Work with forecast function lead to liaise with global market insights group to develop market research plans and instruments that will provide the relevant inputs for forecast model.
9) Develop and presents compelling plans for management endorsement.
- B.S. required, MS./PhD in Mathematics, statistics,, Operations Research is preferred
-Experience working within or consulting for Pharma/Biotech/Healthcare or financial services industries in a forecasting/demand planning/supply chain is a must
- Proven knowledge and proficiency in forecast modeling platforms and tools, including previous use of patient based and agent-based forecast models
- Expertise with MS Excel and MS Access is a must
-Experience handling large secondary datasets (e.g. IMS Xponent, Verispan, NDC) is preferable
- Experience running statistical programs e.g. SAS, SPSS is preferable
- Experience with Monte Carlo simulation techniques and software e.g. Crystal Ball, @Risk preferable