Principal Data Scientist - Supply Chain Network Planning and Design
At a glance
Senior Data Science role at Target. 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,MN 55403-2542 · full-time · $168,000–$303,000 base.
dataroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Design optimization, simulation, forecasting and digital-twin methods for network footprint, capacity, inventory, product flow and transport decisions
- Set standards for model design, validation, scalability and reproducibility, while coaching data scientists on technical practice
- Shape the analytical roadmap, turn strategy into delivery milestones and lead the team's sprint routines
- Work with supply chain, finance, technology, operations and strategy leaders to convert business problems into analytical solutions
- Explain model findings, uncertainty and trade-offs to senior leaders, then help engineering and product teams put models into decision tools
What you bring
- At least eight years applying operations research, optimization, simulation or advanced analytics to complex problems at scale
- Deep optimization and quantitative-modeling expertise, with Python, SQL and optimization-solver proficiency
- Supply chain, logistics, transportation or large-scale network-design experience
- A graduate degree in a quantitative field, or related quantitative industry experience
- Experience building scalable analytical models and decision-support tools, setting technical roadmaps and leading agile delivery
Who this fits
This principal-level role suits a technical leader who can guide analytical direction, mentor data scientists and influence senior leaders. The work combines technical modeling with roadmap ownership and agile team execution. You’ll work both onsite at the assigned Target headquarters in Minnesota and virtually, based on role, team and daily task needs. Work must be performed within the country of the primary work location unless Target prescribes otherwise.
From the employer
Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.
JOIN TARGET AS A PRINCIPAL DATA SCIENTIST – NETWORK PLANNING AND DESIGN
About this role:
As a Principal Data Scientist – Network Planning & Design, you will serve as a senior technical leader shaping the advanced analytics and operations research capabilities that power Target's long-term supply chain strategy. You will architect optimization models, simulations, digital twins, and forecasting solutions that inform significant network and capital investment decisions.
You will also own the organization's decision capability roadmap and lead the team's agile execution, translating strategic priorities into scalable analytical solutions. This role combines deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and cross-functional influence.
Key Responsibilities
Advanced Modeling & Technical Leadership
- Architect and advance optimization, simulation, forecasting, and digital twin capabilities supporting network footprint, capacity, inventory, product flow, and transportation decisions.
- Apply advanced operations research and data science methods to solve complex, ambiguous problems at enterprise scale.
- Establish technical standards for model architecture, validation, scalability, and reproducibility.
- Mentor data scientists and elevate technical rigor across the team.
Decision Capability Roadmap & Agile Execution
- Own and evolve the decision capability roadmap, aligning analytical investments with long-term network strategy and business priorities.
- Translate strategic needs into prioritized capabilities, technical requirements, and delivery milestones.
- Lead team scrum routines, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Drive delivery against the roadmap, managing dependencies, risks, and trade-offs to ensure measurable business value.
Enterprise Influence & Innovation
- Partner across Supply Chain, Finance, Technology, Operations, and Strategy to translate complex business challenges into analytical solutions.
- Influence senior leaders through clear communication of modeling insights, uncertainty, and strategic trade-offs.
- Advance the use of optimization solvers, cloud computing, machine learning, and AI to improve modeling performance and decision quality.
- Partner with Engineering and Product teams to operationalize models into scalable decision-support tools.
Core responsibilities of this job are articulated within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.
About You:
- PhD or MS in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science or related quantitative industry experience
- Extensive supply chain, logistics, transportation or large-scale network design experience
- 8+ years of experience applying operations research, mathematical optimization, simulation or advanced analytics to complex business problems at scale
- Deep expertise in optimization and quantitative modeling with proficiency in Python, SQL and optimization solvers (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX, Pyomo)
- Experience architecting scalable analytical models and decision-support capabilities
- Demonstrated ability to define technical roadmaps, prioritize analytical investments, and lead agile delivery
- Strong systems thinking, technical judgment, and ability to influence senior leaders and global teams
- Experience mentoring technical talent and driving cross-functional alignment
This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target’s needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member’s core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually, depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target. Click here if you are curious to learn more about Minnesota.
Benefits Eligibility
Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_FAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.
Application deadline is : 11/03/2026
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