Data Scientist

Summary

The Data Scientist is a high-impact, strategic role responsible for identifying, developing, and deploying data-driven solutions that transform how Hercules Industries operates. This position focuses on driving measurable business value through advanced modeling, insight generation, and business integration.

Purpose

Drive enterprise performance by translating complex business challenges into data-driven solutions that improve decision-making, optimize operations, and enable scalable, sustainable competitive advantage. This role contributes to outcomes across forecasting → inventory → operations → performance by embedding analytics into core business processes and building a foundation for a modern, data-driven organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with executive and functional leaders to identify high-impact opportunities for data-driven transformation

• Translate ambiguous business challenges into structured analytical problem statements

• Quantify potential business value (inventory, service, margin, cash flow)

• Prioritize initiatives based on strategic importance and return

• Design, build, and deploy predictive and prescriptive models, including:

  • Demand forecasting
  • Inventory optimization (safety stock, EOQ/MOQ, multi-echelon)
  • Supplier performance and lead time variability
  • Operational efficiency and throughput optimization
  • Pricing segmentation and optimization
  • Estimating tools and economic optimization models

• Apply statistical, machine learning, and optimization techniques

• Ensure models are scalable, interpretable, and aligned with business realities

• Perform exploratory data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes

• Partner with Data Engineering to ensure clean, reliable datasets

• Identify and address data gaps and integrity issues

• Build datasets and structures for ongoing decision-making

• Translate analytical outputs into clear, actionable insights

• Embed models into business processes (SIOP, purchasing, planning, inventory)

• Drive adoption through usability and alignment with workflows

• Support leadership decision-making with data-driven recommendations

• Challenge legacy processes and identify step-change improvements

• Lead or support initiatives related to forecasting, inventory, service, and digital enablement

• Contribute to building a data-driven culture

• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership

• Communicate complex concepts in clear business terms

• Influence cross-functional stakeholders to adopt new approaches

Performance Expectations

• Identifies high-value opportunities aligned with business priorities

• Connects analytical work directly to financial and operational outcomes

• Develops models that are both technically sound and practically applicable

• Balances sophistication with usability and business adoption

• Continuously improves model performance and relevance

• Produces actionable insights, not just analysis

• Improves data quality and usability over time

• Builds reusable data assets that scale across the organization

• Drives adoption of analytics into daily operations

• Communicates insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders

• Ensures solutions are practical and sustainable

• Actively contributes to transformation initiatives

• Identifies opportunities for innovation and disruption

• Builds momentum for continuous improvement and change

Qualifications, Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• 3–7+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or related field

• Experience applying statistical modeling, machine learning, and optimization techniques

• Experience working with large datasets and data visualization tools

• Strong business acumen with ability to translate data into actionable insights

• Experience in supply chain, operations, or manufacturing environments preferred

• Proficiency in tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualization platforms

• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Language Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate with customers and staff to make an accurate assessment of customer needs.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations required to accurately complete assigned tasks.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate/Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office

• Ability to learn any additional software needed to perform job duties.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral or written form.

• Ability to use sound judgment and problem-solving skills.

Physical Demands

• Sit, walk and stand

• Use hands, handle, or feel

• Reach with hands and arms

• Climb or balance

• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

• Adjust focus

Work Environment

• Moderate noise level in the work environment

• Exposure to extreme weather conditions that may affect a warehouse environment

• Fast-paced environment

Disclaimer

The preceding job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Hercules Industries is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or other legally protected status.