Lead Data Scientist

Albertsons Companies • Pleasanton, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Albertsons Companies is transforming how we operate from Source to Table—reimagining planning, ordering, inventory, and execution as a deeply connected, AI-enabled ecosystem. In this role, you will own the technical roadmap for an AI-native Data Science organization that builds the predictive, prescriptive, and agentic intelligence powering our next-generation supply chain and store execution platforms. The position will be based in Pleasanton, CA.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a STEM field like CS, DS, Engineering, Statistics, Math, etc. is preferred, or equivalent experience. PhD strongly preferred in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related quantitative field (or equivalent depth of research plus applied production experience).
• 12 plus years of industry experience with 8 plus years of it in applying data science: experimental design, machine learning, deep learning algorithms, operations research, applied mathematical optimization, etc., at a scale.
• Proven track record of leading data science projects and teams to architect and deploy data science solutions at scale.
• Specific experience and skills working in the retail and grocery industry is preferred, including in the areas of supply chain optimization, merchandising and pricing, digital/ecommerce, fulfillment, and customer and marketing analytics and intelligence capabilities using data science, AI and machine learning tools and techniques.
• You will bring product thinking and deep expertise in systems design to this role.
• You will bring an understanding of how planning and operations connects with customer related work from a data science perspective.
• You would have prior experience as a consultant and bring a service mindset to the work of business transformation.
• You will be equally comfortable interacting with scientists, engineers, product, and business clients.
• Business acumen and retail understanding is critical.
• Getting stuff done is critical.
• Has to be able to clearly set a vision to partners for the art of the possible.
• Track record of guiding teams through unstructured technical problems to deliver business impact. Ability to translate high-level business objectives into action.
• Skilled at running cross-functional relationships and communicating with leadership across multiple organizations.
• 8 plus years of experience and proficiency in Python, SQL.
• 5 plus years of hands-on experience in building data science solutions and production-ready systems on big data platforms such as Snowflake, Spark, Hadoop.
• 5 plus years of experience with Data Engineering, MLOps, and Model Life Cycle Management.
• Excellent communications skills, with the ability to synthesize, simplify and explain complex problems to different audience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with logistics and supply chain management systems, Snowflake, Azure Databricks is a plus
• Machine learning
• Deep learning
• Applied Optimization, Operations Research
• Python
• SQL
• AI/machine learning tools (Databricks, Vertex AI, etc.)
• Systems design
• Analytics across functions
• Data Science team leadership (5 plus years)
• Strong cross-functional relationship management and executive communication skills
• Big data platforms (Snowflake, Spark, Hadoop)
• Data Engineering
• MLOps
• Model Life Cycle Management
• Experimental design
• Strategic retail and grocery analytics expertise

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the overarching data science and AI architecture and technical strategy for a team of data scientists that will build data science and AI capabilities to optimize operations, processes and capabilities in Source to Table transformation area that would include 1) end to end demand forecasting; 2) inventory optimization to minimize out of stocks; 3) store and warehouse replenishment to minimize supply chain waste; 4) Agentic AI frameworks to augment and automate planning and execution capabilities.
• Hands-on with design, implementations and deployment of sciences and AI models to convert multiple point solutions to connected data science and AI solutions at scale.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI technologies.
• Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies to enhance the data science architecture and continuously improve analytical capabilities. Drive innovation through research, experimentation, and prototyping.
• Build and scale "AI-native" components: models + agents + reasoning layers. Build a portfolio that includes: Core ML/optimization models (forecasting, bias correction, replenishment, shrink/markdown, execution signals). Agentic AI frameworks that augment and automate planning and execution-human-in-the-loop where needed, autonomous where safe/valuable. LLM-powered explanation and decision support that translates outputs into natural language.
• Lead partnerships with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering and domain experts, to deliver analytical, predictive and decision-support solutions for supply chain and fulfillment-related functions and capabilities. Interface with cross functional leaders and represent point of views from data science to drive measurable success.
• Recruit, build and lead high-performing teams of data scientists in a technical capacity. Inspire and deliver data science innovations that fuel the growth of the business.
• Provide technical and thought leadership in data science and AI. Guide architectures, data science models, machine learning algorithms and engineering best practices. Provide technical mentorship and guidance to the data science team.
• Use machine learning and AI to solve real customer problems, power the next generation experiences for large scale applications in real time. Deliver breakthrough benefits to customers using personalized, enriched, and derived data from a range of sources.
• Drive meetings and lead discussions. Prioritize projects across the team and allocate resources to meet business and team goals.
• Communicate sophisticated machine learning and modeling solutions and capabilities effectively with intuitive visualizations for business stakeholders.

Benefits

• Competitive wages paid weekly
• Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay)
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve
• Medical
• Dental
• 401k
• Sick pay
• PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Bereavement pay
• Retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility)
• Quarterly bonus

What This Job Offers

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