Data Scientist Associate

International Paper•Atlanta, GA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Data Scientist Associate is an important member of the Manufacturing Cost Innovation Team, part of International Paper Containerboard Manufacturing. The cross-functional team focuses on manufacturing data analytics and improving cost competitiveness through non-capital opportunities. The role designs, develops, tests, deploys, and sustains medium-complexity analytics solutions, tools, dashboards, and data products that convert business needs into accurate, timely, actionable insights. The associate works with partners across functions to define requirements, create technical specifications, and deliver scalable analytics capabilities that support decision-making, operational efficiency, and cost savings. The position is based at International Paper’s Advanced Analytics Center (A2C) in Atlanta’s Technology Square community. The successful candidate researches and develops statistical models for data analysis, with a focus on time-series data, and integrates manufacturing data from sources including Aveva PI Data Archive Tools, GE Proficy (Plant Applications), SQL databases, and SAP. Continual technical and organizational learning is expected. Travel may be required, up to 25 percent.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in statistics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science, or another related quantitative field; a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in data science or analytics is required.
Prior work experience with industrial pulp and paper containerboard manufacturing data.
Strong SQL skills, including writing, troubleshooting, and optimizing database queries.
Programming experience in Python, R, or a comparable language used for data analysis and analytics solution development.
Hands-on experience with data visualization and business intelligence tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Working knowledge of data management, data cleaning, validation, reconciliation, and data-quality best practices.
Strong analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, communication, collaboration, organization, and time-management skills.
Ability to document technical solutions clearly and explain analytical findings to technical and business audiences.
Passion for continual learning and willingness to work in a highly innovative, less-structured environment that may require self-directed research and prototyping.
Ability to work independently with little supervision, contribute in a team environment, and communicate effectively.
Willingness to travel as required, up to 25 percent.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain medium-complexity analytics solutions, reusable tools, dashboards, and data platforms.
Gather data and business requirements with cross-functional partners, clarify success criteria, and translate needs into technical specifications.
Lead data validation, reconciliation, and quality checks to ensure analytics outputs are accurate, complete, reliable, and traceable.
Create and maintain technical documentation, analytics solution guides, data definitions, and user instructions.
Manage multiple priorities and small projects, communicating status, risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs while meeting agreed timelines.
Mentor and support junior team members through technical guidance, code and solution reviews, knowledge sharing, and development coaching.
Continuously improve analytics methods, development standards, automation, and organizational capabilities.
Research and devise statistical models for data analysis, with a focus on time-series data.
Integrate manufacturing data from Aveva PI Data Archive Tools, GE Proficy (Plant Applications), SQL databases, and SAP.