Sr Applied Data Scientist - Supply Chain Optimization
At a glance
Senior Data Science role at Target. 100 Mathilda Place,Ste 100 Sunnyvale,CA 94086-6017 · full-time · $98,000–$211,000 base.
dataroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Review and refine optimization and machine-learning methods with other data scientists, including the mathematical models behind them
- Work with engineers to put algorithms into production for large volumes of inventory and distribution combinations
- Learn retail operations from business partners, then weigh model detail and features against speed, reliability, and usability
- Strengthen the engineering practices, tools, and processes used by the team
What you bring
- A graduate degree in a quantitative discipline such as industrial engineering, operations research or computer science
- At least three years leading large-scale optimization, simulation or machine-learning implementations
- Deep experience building high-performance Python code and deploying algorithms in production
- Strong supply-chain optimization knowledge, plus expertise in predictive and prescriptive methods and mathematical modeling
Who this fits
This senior role suits a hands-on data scientist who can turn supply-chain questions into production algorithms and explain data-driven recommendations to business and technical partners. It combines individual technical work with collaboration across data science, engineering, and business teams. The role uses a hybrid arrangement with work at Target’s Sunnyvale headquarters and virtually; duties must be performed in the country of the primary work location.
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 SR DATA SCIENTIST – SUPPLY CHAINAbout us:
Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.
A role with Target Data Sciences means the chance to help develop and manage state of the art predictive and prescriptive algorithms that use data to automate and optimize decisions at scale. The Target Data Science – Global Supply Chain and Logistics team leverages operations research, simulation and machine learning to help Target makes intelligent, end-to-end supply chain business decisions. This involves writing high-performant, scalable Python code as well as designing analytical solutions to extract insights and to prescribe best courses of action.
You’ll work in an environment that provides the freedom and agility of a startup - with the security and vast resources of a large established company with continuous learning opportunities provided.
In this role at Target as a Sr Data Scientist – Supply Chain you will:
Work closely with fellow data scientists to review and iterate on optimization and machine learning algorithms and develop state of the art mathematical models
Collaborate with engineers to design and deploy algorithms in production at scale. Our models run many times a day for millions of combinations of stock keeping units and distribution networks
Work with business partners to learn about the retail business and processes in play
Ideate and resolve tradeoffs between model granularity and features as well as performance, reliability, and usability of our codebase. Improve engineering standards, tooling, and processes
What we're looking for:
Strong knowledge of supply chain optimization – inventory, transportation, sourcing, distribution, fulfillment, planning, etc.
Strong computer science fundamentals with rock-solid, well-structured and efficient code: data structures, design, algorithms, programming and information retrieval
Strong technical and communication skills to deliver with quality and evangelize technical solutions to business, product and engineering partners
Ability to write understandable, testable code with an eye towards maintainability
You constantly think about the end-user for solutions you develop, and prioritize business impact over technical sophistication
Ability to deal with ambiguity, and prioritize progress over perfection
You have an eye for detail, and relentless curiosity for supply chain problems
You have a knack for answering open questions with data
You understand that simplicity is hard but key to achieving maintainability and to being able to continually deliver value to the business
Core responsibilities of this job are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.
About you:
PhD or MS in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or related quantitative fields
3+ years of experience leading large-scale implementations of optimization, simulation, machine learning and deep learning at scale
Extensive experience writing highly performant Python code and deploying algorithms in a production environment. Proficient in predictive and prescriptive algorithms
Expert at formulating and implementing mathematical models ranging from mixed-integer programming, stochastic dynamic programming and reinforcement learning
Experience in implementing advanced statistical techniques like regression, clustering, PCA, time series forecasting, etc.
Proficient in application/software architecture (definition, process modeling, etc.)
Experience writing production datasets in SQL/Hive or building internal/production data tools for research or experimentation in a scripting language like Python
Able to produce reasonable documents and narratives suggesting actionable insights
Excellent communication skills with an ability to clearly tell data driven stories through appropriate visualizations, graphs, and narratives
Self-driven and results-oriented, with strong ownership, sound judgment and the ability to move quickly while maintaining high technical standards
Collaborative team player with a commitment to continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and building reliable AI systems that create business value
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 Sunnyvale 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.
Target will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco and City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances.Benefits Eligibility
Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_DAmericans 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 : 11/26/2026
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