Lead Data Scientist

Job Description

Why choose us?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!

At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who's not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that's constantly evolving.

Bring your flavor

Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table.

What you will be doing

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.

Main 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

We are looking for candidates who possess the following:

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• 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
• Experience with logistics and supply chain management systems, Snowflake, Azure Databricks is a plus

Skills Required

• 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

Skills Preferred

• Big data platforms (Snowflake, Spark, Hadoop)
• Data Engineering
• MLOps
• Model Life Cycle Management
• Experimental design
• Strategic retail and grocery analytics expertise

We also provide a variety of benefits including:

• 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). For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

Our Values - Click below to view video: ACI Values

A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.

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About Us

Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. Committed to innovation and fostering a culture of belonging, our team is united with a unique purpose: to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. We want talented individuals to be part of this journey!

Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is a leading food and drug retailer in the U.S. We operate over 2,200 stores, 1,732 pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution facilities, and 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, United Express, Randalls, Albertson's Market, Pavilions, Star Markets, Market Street, Carrs, Haggen, Lucky, Amigos, Andronico's Community Markets, King's, Balducci's, and Albertson's Market Street.

Our vision is to be a retail leader admired for national strength with deep local roots, offering an easy, fun, friendly, and inspiring experience, no matter how customers choose to shop with us. We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can fully contribute to their and our company's success.

Bring your flavor

Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. All employees must comply with Company, Division, and Store policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties, and skills of personnel may vary within store and/or from store to store and the official job description will be provided during the application process.

Albertsons is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Consistent with applicable state and local law, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We endeavor to make this site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at 1-(option #4).

About the Team

Pay Transparency:

Starting rates will be no less than the local minimum wage and may vary based on criteria such as location, experience, and qualifications. Candidates with unique qualifications may be considered for compensation above this range. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, sick pay, PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off, paid holidays, bereavement pay, and retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility). [If applicable:] Associates in this position may be eligible for a quarterly bonus.