Demand Planning is a well-established process at Nestlé, considered as the engine of the planning process. Nestlé Demand Planners – reporting to Supply Chain - drive the business alignment through their internal Sales & Operations Planning process, sitting close to Sales and Marketing. But Nestlé needed tools supplying accurate statistical forecasts, as a solid basis for the Demand Planning process. Moreover, Nestlé needed the right people and skills. The Demand Analyst (a newly created role) provides the statistical forecasts as a service to the Demand Planners. Demand Analysts work in the business, but are connected through regional analytical competence networks. They provide services for a large part of the organization.