Lead Data Scientist

Overview:
As a Lead Data Scientist, you will be responsible for leading significant role-specific project work as a part of a larger cross-functional team in support of one or more lines of business. Lead Data Scientists typically leverage and implement pre-defined analytics patterns and infrastructure on projects that are moderately complex, requiring working knowledge of a more limited set of machine learning, optimization, simulation, or other advanced modeling approaches. They must be able to quickly learn new subject-matter in support of a specific project or task. Our Lead Data Scientists typically work with latitude for action or decisions on specific projects, solutions, or technical issues.

Successful candidates for this role must have strong analytical and research skills, a strong understanding of statistics and statistical modeling, an understanding of modern machine learning and its mathematical underpinnings, and they must have moderate programming skills with SQL, R and/or Python. They will need to be fast learners with a keen eye for detail, systems thinking, and process design. They must be team players who work steadfastly to create impactful change. This is a professional track role.

This person will be the lead for limited-time-only menu item forecasting. Chick-fil-A routinely adds new menu items (i.e. seasonal milkshakes, specialty chicken sandwiches) for a set period of time to provide a better guest experience and to drive incremental demand. The Lead Data Scientist in this position will be accountable for creating demand forecasts for these items and working with our supply chain teams to use the forecast to drive ingredient purchasing and inventory management decisions. These decisions related to interactions with suppliers, distribution centers, and Chick-fil-A restaurants. This person will create forecasts for items that have limited or sporadic demand history and will need to appropriately quantify the risk around forecast uncertainty as it relates to supply chain decision making.

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

Responsibilities:
The person who fills this role will be expected to do the following as a part of their regular work responsibilities:

Acts as an individual contributor on project engagements and is responsible for implementing data science best practice in their work

Owns and is accountable for model and code quality and documentation for the project work they execute

Designs and implements forecasting models using time-series or machine learning based models to inform purchase order decisions for limited-time-only menu items

Collaborates with stakeholders to understand business needs and integrate forecast solutions into supply chain processes related to supply and demand planning

Analyzes large datasets to identify opportunities for supply chain improvements

Applies machine learning and statistical methods to improve forecast accuracy

Communicates complex forecasting and inventory management concepts and results to non-technical stakeholders

Stays abreast of the latest developments in data science and forecasting methodologies, especially as it relates to limited time/promotional item forecasting

Minimum Qualifications:
3-5+ years of relevant work experience

Bachelor's Degree in a Quantitative or Technical Degree Program and 3.2 GPA

Has strong analytical and research skills

Has a strong understanding of statistics and statistical modeling

Has an understanding of modern machine learning and time-series forecasting techniques

Has moderate programming skills in SQL, R and/or Python

Has the skill to partner with cross-functional teams using strong written and verbal communication

Is a fast learner and a proven problem solver

Has a keen eye for system thinking and process design, especially with respect to scalability and automation

Has a keen eye for detail and thoughtful investigation of data

Has a steadfast focus on creating impactful change

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, or a related field with a 3.2 GPA

Has some experience using Databricks for model creation and automation

Has some experience using GitHub or similar version control system for managing code

Has some experience creating forecast models where historical data is limited

Has prior supply chain experience related to demand forecasting and/or inventory management

Minimum Years of Experience:
3

Travel Requirements:
10%

Required Level of Education:
Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Level of Education:
Master's Degree

Minimum GPA (4.0 Scale):
3.2