Associate Manager - SO

Job Summary

The Associate Manager – Statistical Operations leads end‑to‑end statistical and analytical operations supporting RMS and OMNI business planning and decision‑making. The role ensures high‑quality forecasting, universe‑level trend tracking, KPI validation, and Store & Sample Maintenance, along with overall operational rigor using internal, syndicated, and panel data.

This role partners closely with Analytics, Data Science, Sourcing, Transformation & Enablement, Business, Technology, and People (HR) teams to deliver reliable statistical outcomes while fostering strong team collaboration and associate development.

Statistical Operations

• Own end‑to‑end statistical operations across forecasting and analytics workflows, including data intake, validation, model inputs, output reviews, and downstream hand‑offs.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and SLA‑compliant delivery of forecasts, validated KPIs, universe metrics, and analytical outputs across RMS and OMNI processes.
• Monitor and assess universe‑level trends to ensure stability, consistency, and alignment across time periods and data sources.
• Perform KPI validation and data health checks, ensuring completeness, reasonability, and adherence to defined statistical standards.
• Lead Store & Sample Maintenance processes, including store and sample additions, removals, corrections, alignment, and ongoing universe maintenance.
• Ensure store‑ and sample‑level data integrity through regular validation, reconciliation, and impact assessments on forecasts and KPIs.
• Leverage panel and syndicated data to support forecasting, universe trend analysis, KPI validation, and statistical measurements.
• Support analytical enablement for new initiatives, pilots, and ongoing programs requiring statistical support or model updates.
• Manage historical and ongoing updates such as universe restatements, store/sample maintenance updates, trend adjustments, and KPI corrections, with strong governance and documentation.
• Review and validate statistical methodologies, assumptions, and outputs to ensure consistency across datasets, models, stores/samples, and time horizons.
• Conduct forecast and KPI performance reviews and drive continuous stability and accuracy improvement initiatives.
• Lead and contribute to cross‑functional analytical projects aimed at strengthening statistical processes and operational efficiency.
• Drive automation and process optimization initiatives to reduce manual effort, improve scalability, and enhance data reliability.
• Partner with Analytics, Data Science, and Transformation & Enablement teams to transition pilots into BAU operations.

Tools & Systems

• Hands‑on experience with R, Python, SQL, and Advanced Excel.
• Familiarity with enterprise forecasting, planning, or analytics platforms and data warehouse environments.
• Exposure to automation, scripting, or workflow optimization initiatives is preferred.

• 8–10 years of progressive experience in statistical operations, forecasting, analytics, or decision science roles, preferably within FMCG / CPG, Retail, or Consumer Analytics environments.
• Proven experience supporting business planning, demand forecasting, or performance analytics in large‑scale or matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated exposure to panel and syndicated data used for demand forecasting, causal analysis, and trend interpretation.
• Experience working with retailer‑level data, including promotions, pricing, assortment changes, store coverage, and distribution dynamics.
• Prior experience operating in production / BAU analytical environments with defined SLAs, governance, and recurring delivery cycles.

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion