Staff, Data Scientist

Job Description

Position Summary... Role Overview and Strategic Impact The Staff Data Scientist within the Walmart US Decision Sciences team is a high-impact technical leader and a vital "thinking partner" to the US Store Operations executive team. Operating at the critical intersection of sophisticated data science and high-stakes retail strategy, this role is responsible for architecting the future of retail operations. You will not merely execute technical tasks; you will serve as a strategic bridge, translating complex methodologies into the actionable intelligence required to navigate the world’s largest retail landscape. Success in this position requires a masterful synthesis of machine learning, operations research, and sharp business acumen. The Staff Data Scientist’s primary value lies in the ability to embrace and resolve extreme ambiguity—defining the problem before solving it. By moving beyond one-off reports toward "platform thinking," you will create scalable solutions that transform vast datasets into a narrative for strategic change. This role is fundamental to modernizing US Store Operations, ensuring that every operational shift is backed by rigorous data-based evidence and prescriptive foresight. What you'll do... Key Responsibilities and Value Drivers The responsibilities of a Staff Data Scientist extend far beyond technical execution to include organizational mentorship and the setting of technical standards. As a senior leader, you will exert cross-functional influence to deliver measurable outcomes that define the standard for excellence within the Decision Sciences team. Strategic Partnership & Stakeholder Management: By partnering directly with US Store Operations leadership, you will manage expectations and align technical roadmaps with core business priorities. This ensures that data science initiatives are never siloed but are instead driving the broader organizational roadmap, influencing how leadership identifies and pursues new ways to improve operational outcomes. Advanced Analytical Modeling (Causal & Predictive): You will apply advanced causal inference modeling and deploy supervised/unsupervised machine learning models to identify hidden variables. By identifying true causal relationships rather than simple correlations, you move the organization from reactive analysis (what happened?) to prescriptive action (what will happen if we change X?), allowing for high-certainty strategic interventions. Metric Optimization & Deep Dives: You will conduct exhaustive deep dives into metric fluctuations to provide concrete, data-backed recommendations for Store Operations. These deep dives transform noise into signals, preventing reactive decision-making and ensuring that US Store Operations leadership invests human and financial resources only in high-certainty interventions. Technical Standard-Setting: A non-negotiable requirement of this role is experience in delivery of production-quality, scalable, and maintainable code. As a Staff-le