Principal Operations Research Scientist - Supply Chain Strategy

Milwaukee Tool • Milwaukee, WI

66d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Operations Research Scientist within the Supply Chain Strategy team, you will leverage advanced analytical and optimization techniques to design and enhance our global supply chain network. You'll develop and interpret complex models that inform strategic decisions on sourcing, distribution, and capacity investments. This role combines deep operations research expertise with a strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain dynamics, ensuring that analytical insights translate directly into business impact. This role is ideal for a strategically minded operations research professional who wants to shape business decisions, not just models. You'll be a trusted advisor within Supply Chain Strategy - combining mathematical rigor with supply chain acumen to guide how the company designs, scales, and optimizes its global network. This is a hybrid role. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site on a regular basis to collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage directly with business stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Applied Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain design, modeling, or optimization, ideally within a corporate or consulting environment.
• Proven expertise with optimization solvers (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX) and modeling tools (e.g., Pyomo, AIMMS, Llamasoft/Supply Chain Guru, or equivalent).
• · Strong understanding of supply chain and distribution concepts, including network design, transportation optimization, and cost-to-serve analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL (or similar) for model development and data management.
• Demonstrated ability to connect complex analytical findings to business strategy, influencing decisions at senior levels.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, capable of engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and drive adoption of analytical insights across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine advanced optimization and simulation models to support strategic initiatives such as network design, footprint optimization, sourcing strategy, and cost-to-serve analysis.
• Partner with Supply Chain Strategy, Logistics, Procurement, and Finance teams to translate business challenges into well-defined analytical models and actionable recommendations.
• Conduct scenario analysis to evaluate trade-offs among service levels, costs, and capacity, enabling fact-based decision-making.
• Interpret and communicate model outcomes clearly, connecting quantitative insights to strategic choices and operational realities.
• Advance modeling methodologies and frameworks, ensuring alignment with evolving business priorities and emerging technologies.
• Serve as a thought leader in operations research, mentoring colleagues and influencing the adoption of analytical best practices across the organization.
• Continuously explore innovative modeling tools and techniques to enhance supply chain agility, resilience, and performance.
• Ensure model integrity and scalability, enabling repeatable and transparent decision support for leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees