Senior Statistician

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data science techniques, Data Visualization, Design, Effective communication skills, Leadership Skill, Machine learning techniques, Microsoft-Excel, Optimization, PowerBI, Python Programming, R Programming, Statistics

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Champion the role and value of statistics and data science to unlock innovative solutions, such as predictive modeling, for R&D and business partners.
• Drive improvement in product and process performance and understanding using advanced statistics and data analysis.
• Enable smarter manufacturing and sensory/product experience controls.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support project teams by providing results-driven statistical, data science or mathematical expertise.
• Lead and embed statistical thinking and variability awareness across Solon R&D and Operations.
• Ensure efficient transfer of appropriate statistical knowledge/skills in R&D (regular update of statistical approach, develop training, train/coach other R&D specialists and PMs).
• Provide technical assistance to Operations (factories, PD groups, etc.) on application of different statistical methods.
• Promote manufacturing excellence by providing expertise in Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement System Analysis (MSA) as well as supporting the harmonization of process capability assessment.

Provide support and expertise in Statistics (DoE, MVA) to gain knowledge within our projects:

• Design experiments: define the optimal set of experiments for a given set of experimental parameters taking into account the research questions and resource constraints.
• Analyze data: Perform complex mathematical optimization of food processing conditions and recipes that match consumer and business expectations (sensory quality, nutritional value, sustainability, affordability etc.) for all product categories.
• Application of advanced statistical methods to relate product parameters to consumer liking.
• Apply statistical modelling techniques to visualize data, modelling the relation between input (e.g., production settings) and output (e.g., sensory) variables, and translate findings into user-friendly tools that are helpful to accelerate product development.
• Interpret results and translate them into relevant information for product development activities, and communicate through technical papers, reports and presentations (internal/external).
• Develop and use statistical/analytical tools to provide Technical Assistance as per market / SBU request (provide services & solutions to ensure Manufacturing Excellence)
• Actively participate in networks or expert communities and events, i.e. Nestlé DATAnalytics Knowledge Network, to leverage cross-business knowledge and exchange best practices.
• Communicate effectively with key business stakeholders to identify business needs and promote added value of data-driven approaches.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, and Knowledge):

• Master’s Degree or PhD in the field of Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science or related fields.
• Minimum 3 years working experience in statistics for product design (food or related consumer products is a plus).
• Working experience in data science for product design (food or related consumer products) is a plus.
• Practical experience building highly effective Design of Experiments to drive product and process mastership.
• Detailed understanding of statistics. Should understand the theoretical foundation of statistical methods and how to properly apply these methods, what are the underlying assumptions and limitations.
• Has practical knowledge of statistical tools such as Q-stat, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Statistical Power Analysis and Liner Least Squares Regression, Measurement System Analysis (MSA).
• Mastership of Data Visualization Tools such as Excel, Power BI, and MiniTab.
• Has practical experience leveraging hypothesis tests to drive decision making in support of product development.
• Has practical/hands on experience distilling information (via uni/multivariate analysis methods, data visualization tools, and numerical optimization methods such as high dimensional data analysis, multi variant statistics, omics data analysis, feature extraction) and building a story to effectively convey/communicate the meaning of the data.
• Leadership capabilities and a strong ability to coach and train others.
• Highly developed problem solving mindset and analytical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills to impact/convince others. Ability to present your results to a non-technical audience in a precise and concise manner.
• Strong networking & information gathering skills, ability to work in teams.
• Passionate to ensure that his/her scientific expertise is developed and maintained.
• Medium to strong knowledge of either R or Python.
• Knowledge of mathematical optimization and advanced statistics is a plus.
• Experience/exposure to building large-data predictive AI models that reduce dependence on physical trials is a plus.
• Experience transforming machine learning models into specific applications to increase efficiency, increase profits or enable better business decisions a plus.
• Experience providing guidance on data structure to unlock future process modelling a plus.
• Ability to Travel up to 10%.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

A proactive independent person able to lead/manage/complete projects with minimal supervision. There will be at least two formal meetings with the supervisor to evaluate the progress toward the goals. There is also the opportunity to work closely with other members of the team for guidance. There will be formal training sessions set up for all newcomers to Nestle as well as specific courses required as an R&D employee. The supervisor will set up a training plan, and it is the responsibility of the individual to execute the plan.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

This individual does not have any direct reports but should be able to lead/mentor/coach team members in initiatives/projects that he/she is leading/supporting.

STRATEGIC IMPACT:

This position is in support and service of key Nestle Brand partners - Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine, Hot Pockets, DiGiorno, and Tollhouse as well as the R&D Nestle Global environment and other Nestlé USA brands