Lead Decision Scientist, Supply Chain Optimization
About The Position
Farmer's Fridge is introducing optimization and decision science as its own capability, distinct from existing data science and forecasting work. This role is the first to own this new discipline. The individual will take an existing route optimization and inventory allocation model from built to fully rolled out, and then build new models to transform the supply chain planning process from manual judgment to mathematical solutions. The role involves working alongside other data team members, owning the solver and the prescriptive layer that acts on model inputs like demand forecasts, offering real ownership and the latitude to define how this discipline is built at Farmer's Fridge.
Requirements
- 4–10 years of experience building decision science or optimization models in a production environment.
- Hands-on experience with mathematical solvers (Gurobi, FICO Xpress, CPLEX, OR-Tools, or similar).
- Experience with the NextMV platform, or the ability to ramp quickly on it.
- Strong Python and SQL skills; comfortable picking up additional languages as the work requires.
- Experience formulating real business problems as linear programs, mixed-integer programs, or constraint satisfaction problems.
- Excellent communication skills — able to explain model tradeoffs to non-technical stakeholders and defend modeling decisions to technical peers.
- Track record as an individual contributor who owns modeling work end-to-end, from formulation through production.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with limited existing precedent — this role is defining the discipline, not joining an established one.
- Familiarity with using AI tools in your day-to-day workflow.
- Based in Chicago or willing to relocate.
- This is an in-office role.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with supply chain or logistics optimization specifically (routing, inventory, network design).
- Familiarity with dbt/Snowflake.
- Exposure to how optimization models get productionized alongside data engineering pipelines.
Responsibilities
- Own the solver stack (Gurobi) — model formulation standards, performance, and validation.
- Take the existing route optimization and inventory allocation model from built to rolled out, partnering with planning and ops stakeholders to define success benchmarks and rollout criteria.
- Build new decision models across the supply chain planning process — inventory, production, fulfillment, and network decisions — wherever manual planning or heuristics are currently used.
- Work in the NextMV platform to develop, test, and deploy optimization models into production.
- Translate ambiguous planning problems — constraints, tradeoffs, objectives — into solvable mathematical formulations.
- Partner with the data science team on model inputs (demand forecasts, feature data) without owning the predictive layer.
- Communicate model logic, tradeoffs, and results in plain language to non-technical planning and operations stakeholders.
- Write production-quality Python and SQL, and pick up additional languages or tools as the solver environment requires.
- Set the technical bar for how decision science work gets built, tested, and documented at Farmer's Fridge.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
- 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
- Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
- Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
- Employee discounts
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
