SAP IBP - Data Analyst

Job Title: SAP IBP - Data Analyst Duration: 6+ Months Location: Remote Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Data Analyst to support our commercial finance and operations teams in analyzing sales performance, gross margin dynamics, and demand forecasting. The successful candidate will translate large volumes of transactional data into clear, actionable insights that directly inform pricing decisions, customer profitability analysis, and the monthly S&OP/IBP planning cycle. This is a contract engagement with potential for extension based on project scope. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Sales & Margin Analysis • Develop and maintain recurring sales performance reporting by customer, channel, SKU, and region • Analyze gross margin by product line and customer account, identifying drivers of compression or expansion • Investigate and explain variances between actual results and plan/forecast, producing clear written commentary for finance and commercial leadership • Support customer profitability analysis, including contribution margin by account and identification of negative-margin relationships Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning Support • Build and maintain statistical baseline forecasts using historical shipment and consumption data • Collaborate with the S&OP / IBP team to integrate commercial intelligence into the consensus demand plan • Monitor forecast accuracy (MAPE, bias) and identify systemic error patterns by customer or product segment • Support scenario modeling for volume, mix, and pricing changes across planning horizons Reporting & Data Infrastructure • Design and publish dashboards and scorecards using Power BI (or equivalent) for commercial and finance leadership • Extract, transform, and validate data from SAP S/4HANA and related systems (IBP) to support analysis • Maintain data integrity standards and document analytical methodologies, assumptions, and data sources • Partner with FP&A team on AOP (Annual Operating Plan) and monthly rolling forecast processes REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Statistics, Economics, Business Analytics, or related field • Experience: 3+ years of experience in a data analyst, commercial analyst, or FP&A analyst role • Industry: Experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or retail supply chain strongly preferred • — including complex formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, and dynamic arrays • — Power BI strongly preferred; Tableau acceptable • Working knowledge of SQL for data extraction and transformation from relational databases • Familiarity with SAP ERP (S/4HANA) SD, CO, or FI modules for data extraction and reporting • Demonstrated ability to independently build and deliver analysis with minimal supervision • Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience with SAP IBP (Integrated Business Planning) • Exposure to S&OP or demand planning processes in a manufacturing environment • Familiarity with statistical forecasting methods (moving averages, exponential smoothing, regression) and SAP IBP capabilities • Exposure to setting inventory targets in a multi-warehouse distribution network • Experience with Python or R for data analysis or automation • Background in cost accounting or standard costing concepts (material variance, production variance, absorption) • Prior work with large national retailers or private label programs a plus • Experience presenting to or supporting VP/Director-level commercial or finance stakeholders