Sr. Data Scientist - Optimization

About the role

As a Sr. Data Scientist in Amcor Core R&D, you'll lead the development of models and advanced analytics tools, enabling data-driven decision making across the global Flexibles R&D organization. This role develops mathematical optimization, machine learning, and AI solutions, and contributes to the data pipelines that feed them — to support cost reduction, manufacturing efficiency, and product design. This position works closely with cross-functional teams to integrate enterprise data into the R&D development process and enable scalable, high-impact capabilities that drive business results. Serves as a senior technical expert for optimization, AI, and advanced analytics, providing recommendations that help shape the R&D analytics roadmap and digital transformation initiatives.

Optimization, AI, & Advanced Analytics

• Champion the digital transformation of R&D, scaling advanced analytics, optimization, AI, and automation solutions
• Build optimization models that minimize material cost across product structures and recipes while meeting performance requirements
• Develop scheduling and process optimization models — sequencing for transition waste minimization and improving how products are matched to asset capabilities
• Develop and deploy analytics tools and predictive models that improve the speed, throughput, and robustness of the R&D design and development process — including early detection of design risks and material property prediction
• Translate complex analytical insights into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences
• Continuously improve modeling approaches, optimization techniques, and analytics tools through adoption of best practices and emerging methods
• Act as a steward for proper use and protection of confidential R&D data

Systems & Business Intelligence

• Serve as subject-matter-expert in Amcor R&D systems and data structures
• Use knowledge of product structures, R&D design process and manufacturing processes to identify opportunities where advanced analytics tools can create value for Amcor
• Design and implement data structures and features that enable development of advanced analytic tools and predictive models
• Perform data modeling and feature engineering to support optimization and analytics tools, ensuring data structures are fit for advanced modeling and scalability
• Partner closely with data engineers to ensure robust data pipelines and high-quality, connected data sources across systems

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a strategic partner to R&D, Operations, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, and IT to understand business challenges and propose solutions that connect to Advanced Analytics team strategy
• Collaborate with Business Intelligence teams and systems owners to align analytics tools with enterprise data standards and reporting frameworks
• Collaborate cross-functionally to understand business challenges that can be solved via advanced analytics techniques and advise on data quality and structure required to support capability
• Contribute as a senior technical consultant to solve complex business and technical challenges using data and advanced modeling techniques

What Success Looks Like

• Scaled deployment of enterprise analytics solutions
• Increased speed and quality of R&D decision-making
• Strong adoption of AI and advanced analytics tools across the organization
• Robust, trusted data infrastructure supporting innovation and growth

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Data Science, Operations Research, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• 5+ years (3+ with PhD) of industry experience in operations research, data science, and/or technical engineering field
• Demonstrated success improving organizational performance through analytics, AI/ML models
• Proven experience managing cross‑functional projects with measurable impact
• Proven statistical modeling and machine learning skills; expertise in mathematical optimization is essential
• High Proficiency in Python, SQL, including building or contributing to data pipelines
• Experience with Azure cloud platform preferred
• Experience with optimization solvers (HiGHS, Gurobi, CPLEX)
• Proven understanding of polymer science, film extrusion, or food-packaging interactions is highly preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans
• Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees
• Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
• Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
• Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)