Lead Data Scientist - Supply Chain Network Planning and Design (operations Research, Optimization, Python)

Target Target · Retail · Minneapolis, MN

Lead Data Scientist role focused on supply chain network planning and design, utilizing Operations Research, Optimization, and Python. The role involves defining and structuring supply chain problems, designing quantitative models for cost, service, risk, and sustainability trade-offs, and partnering with various teams to inform long-range supply chain strategy. It also includes mentoring junior team members and staying current with industry best practices.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define and structure ambiguous supply chain problems into clear frameworks for decision-making in partnership with Network Design, Flow, and Capacity Planning teams
  2. Design quantitative models that evaluate trade-offs between cost, service, risk, and sustainability
  3. Partner across Network Design, Flow Planning, Capacity Planning, Operations, Finance, Strategy, and Merchandising teams to maintain a strong pulse on customer needs, priorities, and decision contexts, aligning cross-functionally on assumptions, decisions, and business requirements
  4. Mentor and coach data scientists and analysts in structured problem solving, systems thinking, and executive communication
  5. Stay current with industry best practices and emerging methodologies, proactively upskilling to raise the technical and analytical bar for the team

Skills

Required

  • Operations Research
  • Optimization
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Mathematical optimization libraries or solvers (e.g. Gurobi)
  • Systems thinking
  • Executive communication

Nice to have

  • Supply Chain domain expertise
  • Network Design
  • Flow Planning
  • Capacity Planning
  • Forecasting
  • Simulation

What the JD emphasized

  • PhD or MS in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, Computer Science or related quantitative field
  • 5+ years’ experience applying quantitative modeling to large-scale supply chain or operational problems at scale
  • Proven track record communicating analytical insights to senior or executive audiences
  • Ability to operate independently in highly ambiguous