director, data science- Global Supply Chain Analytics

Starbucks • Seattle, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Supply Chain Data Science will lead the strategy, development, and deployment of advanced analytics and machine learning solutions across Starbucks’ global supply chain. This role is responsible for managing and scaling high performing teams of data scientists and data science people managers, while partnering closely with Supply Chain, Technology, Retail, and Finance leaders to deliver measurable business impact.
This leader will drive innovation across demand forecasting, network design and optimization, inventory and assortment optimization, and last mile logistics, leveraging modern algorithmic techniques and cloud native data platforms. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth, proven people leadership, and the ability to translate complex models into clear business outcomes at scale.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or applied machine learning, with significant focus on supply chain, logistics, or operations
• 5+ years of experience managing managers and large, complex data science organizations
• Deep expertise in demand forecasting, optimization, and applied machine learning at scale
• Strong foundation in statistics, operations research, computer science, or a related quantitative field
• Hands on experience with modern data and ML ecosystems (e.g., Python, SQL, cloud platforms, distributed computing)
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business impact through advanced analytics
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience in retail, CPG, QSR, or global consumer supply chains
• Familiarity with sustainability, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing analytics
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a quantitative discipline
• Experience scaling ML systems across thousands of physical locations

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams of data scientists at all levels, including senior individual contributors and people managers
• Build a strong talent pipeline through hiring, coaching, career development, and succession planning
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence
• Set clear technical and delivery standards for experimentation, production ML, and model governance
• Own the data science vision and roadmap for supply chain optimization
• Lead development of demand forecasting systems (short term, mid term, and long term) incorporating promotions, seasonality, new product introductions, and external signals
• Drive network optimization initiatives including distribution centers, and transportation flows
• Build and deploy last mile logistics optimization models to improve service levels, cost, and sustainability
• Develop advanced assortment and inventory optimization models balancing customer demand, store constraints, freshness, and waste reduction
• Apply modern machine learning, optimization, and statistical techniques, including (but not limited to): Forecasting (hierarchical, probabilistic, deep learning–based) Operations research and mathematical optimization (linear, integer, stochastic, simulation based) Causal inference, experimentation, and scenario analysis
• Ensure solutions scale across thousands of stores
• Guide teams in building production grade ML systems using modern, cloud native tech stacks
• Partner with Engineering and Platform teams to ensure robust data pipelines, feature stores, model deployment, monitoring, and retraining
• Champion best practices in MLOps, model explainability, reliability, and responsible AI
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to senior Supply Chain and Operations leadership
• Translate ambiguous business problems into well defined analytical solutions with clear KPIs and ROI
• Communicate insights and recommendations effectively to executive stakeholders, influencing strategic decisions
• Drive adoption and change management to ensure models are embedded into operational workflows

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits
• short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year
• participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools
• 100%25 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, and access to other educational opportunities
• backup care and DACA reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees