Job Description

PeopleHive is partnering with Solely, Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Company in the World, on a Manager of Data & Forecasting search. Our client is a mission-driven CPG brand scaling radically simple, organic fruit snacks from farm to shelf, and they need a strategic data leader to power their growth.

• Love turning data chaos into forecasting systems that drive real decisions?
• Energized by building dashboards that Sales, Marketing, and Leadership actually use daily?
• Thrive at the intersection of technical analysis and cross-functional strategy?
• Want ownership over demand planning that impacts production, revenue, and executive decisions?
• See problems before they happen and bring solutions, not just questions?
• Ready to work for a brand with a mission you believe in?

This isn't a back-office analytics role. You'll own S&OP, velocity modeling, promotional forecasting, and syndicated data insights (SPINS, Nielsen, IRI) while partnering across Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain. High visibility, high impact, high autonomy—perfect for someone who combines technical chops with business acumen and thrives in lean, fast-paced startups.

About Solely

Solely ( is redefining snacking with radically simple, organic fruit products—nothing added, nothing to hide. Named Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Company in the World , we're a vertically integrated brand that owns our farms in Latin America and our patented cold-press technology that reduces water content and waste while preserving whole fruit nutrition.

We're a high-growth, hard-charging startup culture built on collaboration, innovation, and passion for product. If you thrive in fast-paced environments where your work directly impacts production, revenue, and strategy—this is your opportunity.

The Role

We're hiring a Manager of Data & Forecasting to be the analytical backbone of our commercial organization. This role sits at the critical intersection of Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain—translating data into decisions that drive revenue, optimize inventory, and scale the business.

You'll own demand forecasting, build predictive models, design dashboards, and deliver insights that influence everything from production schedules to promotional strategy. This isn't a back-office analytics role—you'll be a strategic partner to leadership, working cross-functionally to solve problems before they arise.

What makes this role unique:

• You'll have the technical skill to parse and model complex data AND the communication ability to present insights to executives
• You'll work directly with our farms in Latin America and understand our end-to-end supply chain
• You'll automate forecasting processes that currently run manually, creating scalability for our next growth phase
• You'll be a key player in a mission-driven company reshaping the food industry

What You'll Do

Forecasting & Planning (Core Responsibility)

• Lead demand and volume forecasting across customers, channels, SKUs, and product lines
• Build store-level velocity models (by SKU, by location, by week) to drive precision in planning
• Develop promotional lift models and account for seasonality, pipeline fills, and new item launches
• Facilitate monthly S&OP meetings to align demand and supply across the organization
• Create retailer- and channel-specific forecasts that support field teams and brokers

Data Analysis & Insights

• Master syndicated data platforms (SPINS, Nielsen, IRI, Circana, retailer portals) to identify category trends, whitespace, and competitive gaps
• Parse complex datasets and translate technical findings into strategic recommendations
• Track KPIs, pricing strategies, and execution gaps—then proactively surface solutions
• Understand the "why" behind the data, not just the "what"

Tools & Automation

• Design, build, and maintain dashboards in Power BI, Tableau, and Excel that become daily tools for Sales, Marketing, and Leadership
• Automate manual forecasting processes to improve speed and accuracy
• Create 10+ business tools that promote different perspectives on the business
• Ensure data systems are scalable as the company grows

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Leadership to align forecasts and drive planning accuracy
• Support ops and finance teams with seamless, timely data to inform budgeting and resource allocation
• Collaborate with field teams on tools and reports that enhance retail execution
• Act as a translator between technical data work and business strategy

What Success Looks Like

First 100 Days:

• You've built trust with stakeholders by delivering accurate, timely forecasts
• You've automated at least one manual forecasting process
• You've created 2-3 dashboards that are used daily by Sales or Marketing
• You've identified and surfaced at least one major risk or opportunity through data analysis

First Year:

• Forecasts are trusted across the business and drive production, sales targets, and financial planning
• You've reduced forecast error and improved S&OP alignment
• You've become the go-to person for data questions—Leadership relies on your insights to make decisions
• You've upwardly managed effectively and built strong relationships across teams

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, business intelligence, or data analytics (CPG or food industry strongly preferred)
• Proven expertise with syndicated data platforms: SPINS, Nielsen, IRI, or Circana
• Advanced Excel skills (modeling, forecasting, scenario planning)
• Experience with data visualization tools: Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar
• Forecasting methodology knowledge: regression analysis, moving averages, promotional lift modeling
• Cross-functional collaboration: You've worked closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and/or Supply Chain teams
• Communication skills: You can simplify complexity and present to executives and technical teams alike

Preferred Attributes

• Experience with natural/organic food brands or emerging CPG companies
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) due to manufacturing partnerships in Latin America
• Startup or high-growth environment experience—you thrive in ambiguity and move fast
• Self-starter who upwardly manages and doesn't wait for direction
• Passion for Solely's mission and product (bonus if you're a customer!)

Personality & Work Style

• Self-motivated and autonomous: We're a lean team—you'll own your domain
• Proactive problem-solver: You see around corners and bring solutions, not just problems
• Detail-oriented with urgency: Speed and accuracy both matter
• Collaborative and humble: You work cross-functionally and check your ego at the door
• Business-minded: You understand how your work connects to revenue and growth

What We Offer

Compensation:

• Base salary: $120,000 - $140,000 (commensurate with experience)

Why Solely:

• Mission-driven work: Join a brand reshaping how the world snacks with radical transparency
• High impact: Your work directly influences strategy, revenue, and operations
• Growth opportunity: We're scaling fast—grow with us
• Entrepreneurial culture: Move fast, own your work, and see the results
• Passionate team: Work with people who care deeply about food innovation and sustainability

Work Environment:

• Hybrid/in-office preferred in San Diego, CA OR remote (West Coast time zone strongly preferred)
• Fast-paced startup culture with high expectations and high autonomy
• Collaborative team that values diverse perspectives

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