decision scientist - Market Planning and Business Systems

Starbucks • Seattle, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

As a key analytical partner in Development Strategy and Analytics, the Decision Scientist helps shape Starbucks’ Coffeehouse portfolio by providing data-driven analysis to inform how the company identifies, invests in, evolves, and optimizes current and future Coffeehouse locations. The role works with business and technical partners to clarify tradeoffs, uncover opportunities, build and validate predictive models, communicate results, and recommend actions that support Coffeehouses and long-term value.

The position analyzes complex, multi-source datasets; identifies and helps resolve data quality issues; and creates clear visualizations. It translates analytical findings into actionable recommendations for nontechnical audiences, surfaces patterns and performance drivers across the Development lifecycle, and collaborates with Coffeehouse Development, Finance, Operations, Data Science, and Data Engineering. The role also supports model refinement and validation to ensure analytical tools reflect Coffeehouse dynamics and investment scenarios.

The role is onsite four days per week. Starbucks describes a broad benefits package, including health and insurance coverage, paid leave and time off, retirement and equity programs, tuition coverage, and other financial, educational, and family-support resources. Compensation is determined by job-related skills, experience, location, and internal equity; no salary range is provided.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 1 year of experience performing data analysis and profiling using SQL and Python or R, with light guidance from senior practitioners on methodology.
• At least 1 year of experience with data visualization tools and techniques, such as Tableau, Power BI, Shiny, or D3.
• Outstanding collaboration skills with colleagues at an operational level.
• Ability to present complex technical material to nontechnical audiences in an approachable way.
• Ability to independently use software and packages to create visualizations and dashboards for strategic and operational decision-making.
• Ability to interpret data analysis or visualization results and communicate implications and recommendations, with light review from senior practitioners.
• Adherence to standards and best practices, including version control, coding standards, documentation, storytelling with data, data sensitivity policies, analytics best practices, and engineering best practices.
• Sound understanding of the Starbucks business and general business acumen, including familiarity with business drivers in the relevant functional or domain area.
• Ability to connect work products to business applications, at times with guidance.
• Ability to apply human-centered design principles while considering audiences and business processes.
• Ability to meet deadlines with light supervision and communicate proactively about potential delays.
• Minimum understanding of decision sciences and how to promote this capability.

Nice To Haves

• Concentration in Statistics, Math, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, or Quantitative Social Science.
• Previous experience working with geospatial data or geographic information systems (GIS) for predictive modeling.
• Previous experience supporting multi-unit retail or quick-service restaurant operations.

Responsibilities

• Access, prepare, and analyze complex datasets from multiple sources to evaluate Coffeehouse locations.
• Identify anomalies, data gaps, and data quality issues, and partner cross-functionally to resolve them.
• Create clear visualizations using Tableau and other industry tools.
• Synthesize analytical findings into concise, actionable insights that explain tradeoffs and opportunities.
• Present recommendations to nontechnical audiences in an approachable way and connect them to business outcomes.
• Identify emerging patterns and performance drivers across the Development lifecycle and recommend actions for long-term planning and capital deployment.
• Collaborate with Coffeehouse Development, Finance, Operations, Data Science, and Data Engineering to integrate rigorous, relevant analysis into business processes and decision frameworks.
• Work with data science teams to refine assumptions, validate model outputs, and ensure analytical tools accurately represent Coffeehouse dynamics and investment scenarios.
• Build visualizations and dashboards intended to influence strategic and operational decision-making.
• Contribute to requirements definition and interpret requirements to design analysis and communication.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Other voluntary insurance benefits
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Paid parental leave
• Family expansion reimbursement
• Paid vacation from date of hire
• Accrued sick time
• Eight paid holidays
• Two personal days per year
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match for eligible partners
• Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.)
• Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock)
• Incentivized emergency savings
• Financial well-being tools
• 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan
• Student loan management resources
• Access to other educational opportunities
• Backup care
• DACA reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level