Business Analyst (Capacity management and forecasting)

at  AstraZeneca

BP Clinical operations (BPClinOps) are committed to improving the accuracy of their demand forecasts in support of delivering the Clinical portfolio. The algorithm Developer role works very closely with various stakeholders across BPClinOps to drive the development, testing and implementation of FTE demand algorithms in PLANIT, working with the BPClinOps functions; ensuring alignment to the current organisation and aligned to productivity initiatives/changes in ways of working.

TYPICAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

As the algorithm Developer, the primary role of this individual will be to work with relevant functional stakeholders in BPClinOps to:

• Provide education on how PLANIT forecasts demand along with system limitations for functional experts who are developing new algorithms
• Use expert knowledge of PLANIT to translate the functional expert needs into PLANIT algorithms, including the definition of demand drivers, balancing the needs of the business and simplicity
• Liaise with GPPM Systems and Processes for the implementation of new algorithms, resource drivers and updated resource breakdown structure as required
• Perform testing of algorithms, prior to and post implementation, to ensure demand is appropriate utilizing stakeholder feedback and other portfolio information, e.g. MYTIME actuals, portfolio deliverables, etc.
• Work with stakeholders to review and refine new/current demand algorithms to ensure they are reliable and ‘fit for purpose’
• Manage the implementation of updated/new demand algorithms by reviewing manually created demand with project teams and adjusting/eliminating as necessary
• Manage the BAU process for continuous improvement of FTE demand algorithms in line with the broader GPPM Led governance process
• Other duties as required to improve, report and/or model BPClinOps portfolio demand

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS / PREFERRED BACKGROUND

• University degree at Bachelor level, in a scientific or business discipline
• 5-10 years of project/portfolio/resource management, in a Clinical Development environment.
• Broad drug development experience in a matrix environment
• Minimum 5 years of working experience and understanding of business planning and capacity management process.
• Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes
• Goal oriented and ability to drive performance

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Experience in converting organizational needs into demand algorithms
• Experience in developing demand algorithms for Clinical Development
• Strong data modelling skills and the ability to transform data into forms easily understood by others
• The ability to balance tact, patience and persistence with the need to move improvements at speed
• Strong organizational skills to move multiple functions through the improvement processes at different speeds based upon their level of understanding and complexity of their business
• Expert knowledge of PLANIT and demand algorithms

THIS ROLE DELIVERS VALUE TO BPCLINOPS BY;

• Managing a BAU process for ongoing review and refinement of functional FTE demand algorithms in line with the broader GPPM led governance process
• Developing and managing a roadmap of planned deliveries in line with scorecard objectives and functional needs
• Ensuring FTE BPClinOps demand in PLANIT aligns to the current/changing organizational structure and is driven by reliable forecast algorithms
• Ensuring that the impact of productivity initiatives is realized in our demand forecasting
• Delivering documentation, communication and training in support of the ongoing changes

As the algorithm Developer, the primary role of this individual will be to work with relevant functional stakeholders in BPClinOps to:

• Provide education on how PLANIT forecasts demand along with system limitations for functional experts who are developing new algorithms
• Use expert knowledge of PLANIT to translate the functional expert needs into PLANIT algorithms, including the definition of demand drivers, balancing the needs of the business and simplicity
• Liaise with GPPM Systems and Processes for the implementation of new algorithms, resource drivers and updated resource breakdown structure as required
• Perform testing of algorithms, prior to and post implementation, to ensure demand is appropriate utilizing stakeholder feedback and other portfolio information, e.g. MYTIME actuals, portfolio deliverables, etc.
• Work with stakeholders to review and refine new/current demand algorithms to ensure they are reliable and ‘fit for purpose’
• Manage the implementation of updated/new demand algorithms by reviewing manually created demand with project teams and adjusting/eliminating as necessary
• Manage the BAU process for continuous improvement of FTE demand algorithms in line with the broader GPPM Led governance process
• Other duties as required to improve, report and/or model BPClinOps portfolio deman