Clinical Forecasting Specialist

Clinical Forecasting Specialist:

This is a new position and will be a key contributor in the development and management of R&D clinical trial demand plans. As part of the evolving Demand Management organization, this position is supporting Clinical Supply Services (CSS) in converting clinical protocols and key planning parameters into robust forecasts and predictions for the planned use of clinical supplies across the R&D clinical trial Book of Work. This position is accountable for the development, maintenance and communication of clinical trial supplies demand forecasts for a subset of clinical programs and protocols within the R&D portfolio. This position will enable PD supply operations to maintain visibility to dynamic clinical trial requirements and optimize the use of clinical supply inventories.

The key responsibilities for the role include:

• Support Drug Supply Managers and their assigned programs through the creation and management of clinical trial demand forecasts and budgets with consistent and clear process outputs. Administer the forecasting process at multiple times and at multiple levels of granularity in alignment with downstream supply chain requirements. Through robust and formalized communication of key clinical demand drivers, organize and manage key forecast parameters which impact demand volumes and timings. Assess pertinent factors in determining and developing forecasts at either the program or protocol level.

• Develop an understanding of clinical trial operational expectations by reviewing the study design, expected pace of enrollment, dosing schedule, study assumptions and resulting demand forecasts. Aid the CSS organization in the creation and management of IRT algorithms based on predicted conduct of clinical trials and established forecasts.

• For assigned programs, monitor the R&D clinical book of work to ensure adequate representation of clinical demand forecasts. Collaborate with Drug Supply Managers in understanding trial timing, asset strategy and study design/protocol availability. Identify clinical trials requiring forecasting, to aid the R&D Supply Chain in recognizing demands for long lead time operations.

• Per a predefined business process, update previously established forecasts at a regular cadence and corresponding to the status of the program/protocols being forecasted (startup, maintenance, close-out). Based on current information related to ongoing studies (real time activity, inventory levels, enrollment, etc.) collaborate with CSS in reforecasting clinical demands. Aid in leveraging updated forecasts to inform current demand/supply plans and downstream operations.

• Participate jointly with Drug Supply Managers in preparation and presentation of program level forecasts and demand plans. Attend program level governance meetings covering demand forecasts for both internally procured supplies and purchased comparator supplies.

Required Skills/Experience:

Communicative: Operate with a high degree of connectedness, transparency and clarity to ensure common understanding of requirements, issues and actions; listen to stakeholders and distill information into pertinent and actionable content.

Analytical: Ability to characterize clinical trial requirements and synthesize data into forecasts of clinical trial expectations. Ability to merge both firm and changing information sets into reasonable and defendable forecasts. Prior exposure to statistical modeling and prediction algorithms is a plus.

Responsive: Demonstrate a nimble nature to adapt to the pace and dynamic nature of an R&D environment; process data, information and feedback with speed and communicate outcomes, alternatives and impacts with appropriate urgency.

Expert: Prior experience within a clinical supply chain function; demonstrated experience in clinical forecasting and management of related IT tools such as Smart Supplies, SAP, IRT Systems; demonstrated understanding of clinical protocols and the creation and management of demand plans to support clinical protocols; 3-5 years clinical trials planning experience.

Innovative: Ability to develop new ways of working; understanding of the function of Forecasting in the R&D Supply Chain in order to improve the value proposition to stakeholders; creativity to aid in establishing robust business processes related to the Forecasting function.