Principal Operations Research

Key Skills

Java Programming, Python Programming, SQL, Big Data Technology, Machine learning techniques, Data science techniques, R Programming

Job Description

Do you want to shape the future Supply Chain and Logistics strategy for a fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading Retailer? Do you want to optimize Target’s Global Supply Chain end to end, from sourcing to delivery of packages to guest? Are you excited at the prospect of analyzing large data sets and developing complex algorithms, simulation and optimization models to solve real world problems?

Target’s Global Supply Chain and Logistics is evolving at an incredible pace. We are constantly reimagining how we get the right product to the guest even better, faster and more cost effectively than before. We are becoming more intelligent, automated and algorithmic in our decision-making, so that no matter how guests’ shop—in stores or on Target.com—we deliver the convenience and immediate gratification they demand and deserve. We are on a mission to win decisively over any competitor, with a seamless and superior guest service experience unlike any they can offer. Our teams work with the agility our mission requires, and we constantly come together to implement new processes in record time. We’re looking for exceptional people who are proactive, creative, independent, innovative, risk-savvy and comfortable working in varying degrees of ambiguity. Are you a critical thinker who seeks the root cause and can analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively? Are you a creative problem-solver who simplifies problems, quickly identifies solutions, commits to a plan and then positively influences others to execute it? If so, you will have success on one of our dynamic teams.

A role in Network Planning and Global Intelligence means creating industry leading intelligence solutions to drive best in class omnichannel guest experiences at the lowest cost to Target. You might focus on enabling the future transportation operating model, optimizing inventory management, driving topology planning or leveraging deep business insights and analytics to propel Target’s Supply Chain. As a network steward, we create forecasts, design inventory optimization strategies and leverage technology to ensure our inventory is available at the right time, in the right places and quantity to meet the needs of our guest, stores and operational goals. Super-powered first and foremost by our people, and supported by robust process and technology, we are a team of data-focused, curious minds who love to solve hard problems to enable a dynamic, fast paced Supply Chain Network. Our modern operating systems are built by Target and lead in the arena of automated large-scale supply chain planning and optimization systems running large-scale solves for complex optimization problems.

The Supply Chain Network Planning team is part of Network planning and Global Intelligence team and is responsible for driving long term supply chain strategy and network design to enable future growth for Target. Operations research teams develops optimization models for network design, generates analytical insights, and leads initiatives to drive the efficiency of Target’s overall supply chain network.

A role in Operations Research team means opportunity to contribute to the team that is at the forefront of defining future Omni channel operating model for Target’s Global Supply Chain across first, middle & last mile. You will develop cutting edge data pipelines, optimization and simulation models to design and operate Target’s Global Supply Chain in fast and efficient manner and work with stake holders across the company in Finance, Merchandising, Stores and GSCL teams to enable supply chain transformation.

As a Principal Research Scientist you will

• Know your business - understand Supply chain operational metrics and cost of end to end operations of supply chain.
• Analyze large amounts of supply chain data at the most granular level & develop key metrics to evaluate the performance of supply Chain across Sales, transportation, operations and inventory.
• Develop clear and succinct problem statements and align with executive leadership on core areas of problems.
• Develop end and end scalable and sustainable solution architecture with multiple modules to solve the problem leveraging complex algorithms, Machine learning techniques, Simulation and optimization modeling techniques
• Deploy planning models and solutions for broader GSCL teams to use.
• Interpret results from the models and provide insights to the leadership team
• Define future capability needs for the product and technology teams to execute a new strategy
• Engage and collaborate with Stake holders across GSCL, Finance, stores & Merchandising and drive timely outcomes for the project
• Leverage subject matter expertise in optimization, simulation and machine learning skills to guide the team to develop the right models for the right problems.
• Mentor peers and junior team members on analytical techniques & story telling
• Develop a clear and concise story with data to influence decision making with senior leadership teams.
• 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 Masters in quantitative field such as Operations research, Data Science, Industrial Engineering and applied mathematics
• 6+ Years of Experience with Doctoral degree or 10+ years of experience with Master’s degree. 2+ Years of experience in Retail
• Experience in developing advanced optimization, Simulation and machine learning techniques
• Experience in SQL, Big Data & one of the programming languages R & Python.

Why work with us at Target?

• You will work directly on the quantitative problems and develop models that have the most impact on Target's entire supply chain. 
• We value diversity. We believe that diversity and inclusion is of core importance when try to create positive in-store experiences for our guests, and we think it is also critically important when building our teams.?
•  We value our team members for who they are, not just what they can get done. We treat out team members like people, not like cogs in a machine. We are parents, hobbyists, enthusiasts, family members, and community members, and can offer flexibility to our team members' schedules and work arrangements.