Location – London or Glasgow (3 days in the office per week)

About the role -

The Customer Forecasting and Analysis team is central within the unit. We talk to everyone and work broadly with various internal stakeholders. We’re always looking to understand what our customers are going to do, where the market is moving, how our new products or offers will impact demand and exploring how changes in regulation affects sales. On top of that, we monitor Openreach’s commercial performance, project demand and forecast impacts for Openreach’s operational units. We also provide commercial support around governance, risk and both customer and industry communications and initiatives.
Understanding the demand for our products is critical to the business. We need to ensure we’ve got just the right resources – in total and skill sets – to deliver for our customers in a efficient way. Too few and we’ll struggle to deliver, too many and we’re wasting money. Our team is the critical, unbiased and independent view of the potential impact.

This role is responsible for Business services products corresponding to two out of the three Ethernet markets we forecast, namely Mobile and Backhaul. The forecasting manager will be responsible for accurate forecasting of new connections, rental base and ceases, as well as producing innovative analysis and insight that deepens our understand of the market dynamics, improves forecasting accuracy and enhances understand of its financial impact.

You'll have the following Responsibilities

• Leading the volume forecasting for Business services (Ethernet) within Openreach and as part of that, identifying, and tracking risks and opportunities and accurately tracking progression of major projects against the forecast.
• Producing robust, sophisticated and best-in-class modelling to support the forecasting and reporting of the products in scope.
• Working with Openreach’s Sales & Relationship teams and Communications Provider customers (CPs) to obtain the most accurate view as possible of demand for Ethernet services across the UK.
• Building a solid understanding of the technical nature of the portfolio products, their delivery process and factors affecting completions.
• Enabling Openreach’s sales, finance, commercial, strategy, product and capacity planning teams to use the forecast effectively.
• Providing in depth analysis and scenario capabilities to support business decisions.

You'll need to have the following skills

• Strong analytical skills with ability to turn data into forecasts are vital for this role.
• At times you’ll have to deal with contradictory information and have to extract key ‘signals’ from conflicting data using your judgement and initiative.
• A high level of business acumen is key, along with a focus and strong commercial experience/judgement.
• You’ll need to have great people skills and be able to develop relationships with stakeholders and to work as part of a virtual team. 
• At times you’ll have to challenge, influence and negotiate across these groups to a successful conclusion.
• You’ll have to be able to cope with large datasets and complex excel models without dropping any attention to detail nor losing sight of the bigger picture.
• You’ll be able to adhere to tight timescales which can sometimes conflict, and be able to deliver to deadlines.

You will be required to have the following experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent business experience.
• Business experience in a forecasting role.
• Use of Excel, SQL, Python and equivalent software to a high level.

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. 
You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:
• 10% on target annual bonus
• Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family 
• Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off 
• Equalized maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay
• Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband
• Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us
• Holiday purchase scheme
You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.
Ready to connect for good and help shape the future? Apply now

About Openreach

We’re the nation’s number one broadband network and we build the connections that matter.

Our customers are the 640+ communications providers who sell phone, broadband and Ethernet services to homes and businesses and our mission is build the best digital future for the UK.

There’s over 33,000 of us across the country, and we have a vision that our workforce should represent the communities that we serve. Diversity and accessibility are important to both where we are now and where we’re going. We value every colleague and the contribution they make, because a diverse business is a stronger business.

We also want the best work-life balance for all our people, which is why we offer smart working. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, so you’ll be able to discuss how smart working fits with your role during the recruitment process.