Director, Data Science (Operation Research)

About the role

The successful candidate will lead a high-impact team responsible for driving pricing optimization across Walmart’s global retail platforms. They will develop and execute data science strategies for assortment, space design, and inventory flow, ensuring Walmart delivers the right value to customers while maximizing business performance.

What you'll do

• Lead and grow a team of data scientists and data engineers dedicated to assortment and space optimization.
• Partner with product, engineering, merchandising, and business stakeholders to identify opportunities and align on strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the end-to-end data science lifecycle: problem scoping, literature review, model design, algorithmic optimization, engineering integration, deployment, monitoring, and impact measurement.
• Drive AI innovation in assortment, including experimentation with new models and algorithms to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure robust model governance, reproducibility, and ethical AI practices.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and business impact effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership.

About The Team

Applied AI focuses on the development and deployment of innovative agentic AI and Machine Learning algorithms across all aspects of Walmart’s retail, grocery and logistics businesses. The team of more than 300 AI scientists and engineers use advanced Applied AI, Agentic AI, and Mathematical Optimization to revolutionize how Walmart manages its retail, grocery and pharmaceutical operations.

Qualifications

• Option 1: Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 6 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 2: Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 4 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 3: 8 years' experience in an analytics or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Data science, machine learning, optimization models.
• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics.
• Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R.
• Supervisory experience.
• Using open source frameworks (for example, scikit learn, tensorflow, torch).
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.

Primary Location

640 W California Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-4828, United States of America