Senior Specialist - Forecasting

Job Title: Senior Specialist - Forecasting

Career Level: D3

Location: Manyata Tech Park, Bangalore

Shift: 2 PM - 11 PM IST, Hybrid (3 days a week in office)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. More than just one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca is committed to being a Great Place to Work.

Who We Are

The Global Business Service (GBS) team within Finance at AstraZeneca is dynamic and results-oriented, providing a range of enterprise-wide services. We challenge the status quo, freeing up our business to push the boundaries of science and deliver life-changing medicines by optimizing time, money, and capabilities.

What We Do

As trusted partners, we aim to make AstraZeneca more agile, efficient, and effective. Using a hybrid model of in-house delivery centers and global service towers, we innovate through process simplification, new operating models, and placing automation and data at the core of our solutions.

How We Do It

Join a team focused on building a community that thrives on diverse cultures and perspectives and a strong sense of belonging. Here, you'll learn and grow together.

Why We Love It

• Enjoy growth opportunities in a global business facing novel challenges; this is the place to build a standout, international resume.
• A fun, collaborative environment where community hubs build robust partnerships, not just professional relationships.
• Embark on an exciting journey to elevate our team to the next level and leave a lasting legacy.

About the Role

The Senior Specialist - Forecasting works closely with the GIACE Forecast Leader and Commercial teams to develop revenue, volume, and patient forecasts for strategic brands and early assets. This role is essential for understanding therapeutic areas, setting performance expectations, and guiding brand strategy.

You will be tasked with creating both short-term and long-term forecast models, managing forecasting processes, and ensuring the alignment of forecast assumptions with business partners. Additionally, the role involves integrating primary research into models to anticipate risks and opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver robust and transparent demand forecasts for strategic brands and key markets with clear documentation of assumptions.
• Present and defend forecast approach, methodology, and outputs to senior leadership confidently.
• Ensure objectivity in forecasts by identifying the right data sources and using industry-leading modeling approaches.
• Develop new product introduction volume forecasts for strategic and operational planning processes.
• Support continuous improvement in forecasting capabilities with advanced methodologies and data analytics.
• Leverage various tools and information to refine forecasts.
• Develop new forecast models as business needs evolve for global and US forecasting roles.
• Participate in monthly S&OP processes and manage volume submissions for US forecasting roles.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Experience

• 15 to 20 years of pharmaceutical forecasting experience with expertise in forecasting techniques and models
• Understanding of disease areas and treatment pathways
• Experience integrating market research insights into forecast assumptions
• Proficiency with standard pharmaceutical data sources like IQVIA and epidemiological data
• Strong analytical skills and expertise in Excel and financial modeling
• Project management experience with risk mitigation and handling multiple projects
• Ability to build trusted relationships with various partner groups
• Proven problem-solving and continuous improvement skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degrees (e.g., PhD, MBA, Masters)
• Knowledge in advanced statistical forecast methodologies, AI, ML, and automation
• Experience with PowerBI and other Power Apps
• Understanding of US Market Access and gross-to-net