Manager - Data Science & AI

Suntory Global Spirits • Chicago, IL

10d • $130,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Manager of Data Science & AI leads multiple data science workstreams end-to-end, translating complex and often ambiguous business challenges into AI and advanced analytics solutions with measurable impact. Reporting to the Director of Data Science & AI, this is a hands-on technical leadership role involving multiple resources and concurrent projects, with close partnership across business and technology stakeholders.

The role helps define and execute the Data Science & AI strategy, leads the development and production deployment of scalable AI/ML solutions, and establishes strong engineering, experimentation, governance, and measurement practices. It also builds organizational capability through coaching and technical standards, while advancing commercial outcomes such as revenue growth, sales productivity, recommendation effectiveness, consumer insights, forecasting, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related quantitative field; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, or Advanced Analytics, with progressive responsibility and demonstrated leadership impact.
• At least 4 years building and deploying production AI/ML solutions in enterprise environments.
• Deep expertise in machine learning, AI, and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark, SQL, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Working proficiency in cloud-native AI architectures, including Google Cloud Platform and Databricks, and scalable AI deployment.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate complex data concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including scoping, prioritizing, and delivering complex initiatives on time and within resource constraints.
• Outstanding PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, including the ability to translate AI/ML capabilities into measurable business value.
• Track record of delivering advanced analytics solutions that drive revenue growth, cost optimization, and competitive advantage.
• Track record of leveraging emerging AI technologies and data science methodologies to drive transformational outcomes and competitive differentiation.

Nice To Haves

• Success leading data science programs in a global CPG, beverage, or similar fast-moving consumer-goods environment.
• Experience with generative AI, deep learning frameworks, and modern AI development practices.
• Background in A/B testing, attribution modeling, demand forecasting, and recommendation engines.
• Deep understanding of the beverage and alcohol manufacturing sector, including global market dynamics, consumer behaviors, regulatory constraints, and distribution complexities.
• Extensive experience in revenue growth management (RGM), brand investment optimization, and pricing analytics for CPG companies.
• Experience using AI to drive commercial decisions, optimize promotional effectiveness, and enhance portfolio management in the beverage and alcohol sector.
• Understanding of data protection laws, AI ethics, compliance regulations, and responsible AI practices within the global beverage and alcohol industry.
• Experience with multimodal AI systems, computer vision for product and marketing applications, LLMs for consumer insights, and advanced forecasting and optimization models.

Responsibilities

• Help define and execute the Data Science & AI strategy in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Lead and manage multiple Data Science resources across concurrent projects, providing direction, coaching, prioritization, and accountability for delivery.
• Develop scalable Data Science solutions using Databricks, PySpark, Python, SQL, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Oversee data pipelines, machine learning models, ML Ops frameworks, and production deployments; establish engineering practices including Git/GitHub, code reviews, unit testing, documentation, reproducibility, and CI/CD.
• Lead development, deployment, and continuous improvement of product recommendation engines, next-best-product, next-best-action, ranking, and other decision-support solutions.
• Design and lead A/B testing, test-and-control methodologies, experimental design, statistical analysis, and business impact measurement.
• Establish frameworks to quantify incremental sales impact, ROI, and solution effectiveness.
• Advise business and technology stakeholders, translate business problems into actionable Data Science opportunities, manage expectations, facilitate decisions, and maintain alignment throughout project lifecycles.
• Structure loosely defined problems, assess data feasibility, define scope and success criteria, and lead projects and workstreams end-to-end with minimal managerial oversight.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for adoption, data quality, system performance, and business impact; promote scalable, reliable, reproducible, and appropriately governed solutions.
• Build team capabilities through coaching, knowledge sharing, technical standards, and development processes, and help scale the Data Science function.
• Lead advanced analytics initiatives supporting sales productivity, revenue growth management, product recommendation effectiveness, consumer insights, forecasting, and operational efficiency.

Benefits

• Annual bonus
• 401K match
• Profit sharing
• Medical benefits
• Wellness benefits
• Relocation, immigration, and/or tax compliance assistance may be offered to successful candidates, depending on role requirements and company guidelines.

What This Job Offers

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