Director, Forecasting

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to make people smile by delivering breakthroughs where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, Massachusetts, and Ontario.

Job Purpose:

The position of Director, Forecasting will be a critical business partner with the brand and senior leadership for developing forecasts, profiling opportunities/risks, and identifying strategies for how to manage performance.  Specifically, this role will develop and lead a franchise-wide forecast process to support short-term and long-term business planning, LE changes, and execution. This individual will partner and collaborate with every function including but not limited to Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Market Research, Commercial Analytics, Sales Operations, and Finance. This leader will have the opportunity to define and implement a new forecasting capability for a dynamic, growing company focused on brain health.

This person must be comfortable with operating in a fast-paced “start-up” environment and capable of juggling multiple projects to deliver quality and accurate results in a timely manner.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the forecasting process and capability for the North American (NA) business across pre-launch and in-line products.
• Ownership of all short-term and long-term forecasts for commercialized and pipe-line products while working closely with the internal stakeholders (Finance, Marketing, Sales, Sales Operations) to determine planning, and product valuations
• Deliver objective forecasts for NA brands with profiling of opportunities/risks and proactive identification of strategies for how to manage them.
• Collaborate across NA Commercial teams as well as the Global Forecasting team to develop key assumptions and scenario planning.
• Manage fact-based approaches and processes as inputs to forecasting, such as epidemiology, brand share estimation, market access, and competitive impacts.
• Support forecasting input needs for Field Incentive Compensation planning.
• Track forecast accuracy and brand performance against key performance indicators (KPI).
• Define and implement strong forecasting standards and processes aligned with the business planning process.
• Provide ad hoc analysis to Marketing and Senior Management as requested.
• Have the ability to lead and influence stakeholders based on objective evidence by utilizing EPI data and analog identification and application.
• Role will also be responsible for ensuring competitive market events are formally and proactively identified, tracked, and assessed on a timely basis. Keeps abreast of news that could impact forecast drivers e.g. industry and competitive intelligence
• Be an integral part of the business planning process with stakeholders. Participate as a subject matter expert (SME) for Forecasting by challenging assumptions and identifying key risks and opportunities
• Evaluates and recommend the most appropriate sources for forecast model inputs, including epidemiology sources, prescription and prescriber databases, primary and secondary research, and scientific literature
• Contribute to the annual strategic plan for each franchise
• Guides the design of required market research studies to validate forecast assumptions, architecture, and patient populations
• Collaborated with HEOR and Commercial Analytics to determine what secondary data are needed to info internal company guidance
• Competent in data analytics (including pulling data from a data warehouse) relevant to forecast
• Ensure forecasts address the impact of critical events, are logically designed and well documented in the forecast model, and represent consensus decision-making among key stakeholders
• Provide strategic commercial advice and counsel as related to the overall scope

Position Requirements:

Education

• Minimum of a BS degree is required preferably in Business or Business Mathematics. Advanced degrees such as MBA preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience in a forecasting function in a pharmaceutical/biotech company or consulting firm.

• Experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech/Life Sciences field(s) required. A high degree of understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain, including manufacturers, wholesalers, chains, and payers.
• Experience with pharmaceutical data sources, such as IQVIA NSP, NPA, and epidemiology data sources.
• Expertise in market research is a plus.
• Experience working with all levels of management and consulting with key business stakeholders.
• Strong team player that has a customer service approach and is solution-oriented.
• Strong work ethic to handle ad hoc requests to deliver accurate and meaningful results on a tight deadline
• Process high resilience and agility as well as a keen analytical mindset and curiosity
• Attention to detail and the ability to work individually, within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and vendors.
• Excellent written and verbal (including listening) communication skills, problem-solving/resolution skills, and customer focus.
• Extensive experience in Forecast Pro and Monte Carlo simulation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, drive performance, build alignment, inform, and negotiate. This candidate will also have demonstrated initiative, creativity, and ability to work in complex, rapidly changing & ambiguous environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders; Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills are required and can design the presentation deck to present complexity succinctly and meaningfully.

Physical Demands:

Normal office environment with prolonged sitting and extensive computer work

Working Conditions:

Requires 5% domestic and international travel

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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