Data Scientist III at The Shoprite Group of Companies

Purpose of the Job    

• The purpose of the Lead Data Scientist (or Data Scientist III) role is to lead the delivery and execution of complex data solutions and products that delivers business value while driving data as a competitive advantage for Shoprite. The role oversees a portfolio of data science projects, providing technical expertise and guidance in solving a variety of use cases across the business and for its customers. The Lead Data Scientist also plays role of coach and mentor to other data scientists, enabling the function to grow the capability while creating a high performing team. The Lead Data Scientist is a conceptual and critical thinker with a depth of expertise to infer meaning from complex data and translate these in a concise and cohesive story that enables innovation and accelerates the application of best practices in a big data environment.

Job Objectives    

• Contribute towards the development of Shoprite IT’s data strategy to deliver best-in-class analytics across the organisation.
• Work with business stakeholders to identify business requirements and model and frame business scenarios that are meaningful and which impact on critical business processes and/or decisions.
• Work closely with data and software teams to shape and enable deployment of fit-for-purpose, robust solutions that will scale across the company’s ecosystem.
• Develop, plan and prioritise data projects and delegate assigned roles and responsibilities for execution, weighing business and technical trade-offs as required.
• Lead the development of analytics-focused products, using machine learning, natural language processing, and mathematical / statistical techniques to develop powerful sciences that delivers business value and impact.
• Work with the data scientist team to define models to be created and implemented together with the approach for implementing them and monitor for accuracy, integrity and robustness.
• Support in defining data quality expectations and provide ongoing tracking and monitoring of performance of data systems and models.
• Perform sophisticated data preparation in order to reduce and shape data.
• Apply comprehensive set of predictive and descriptive modelling techniques to the data appropriate to achieving the business objectives which includes decision trees and association rules.
• Identify and manage data development challenges, offer suggestions, and deploy appropriate solutions.
• Communicate and present analytical findings, results and reports to senior stakeholders, using data visualisation techniques to tell compelling stories, while tying progress to enterprise goals.
• Evaluate new and emerging technologies from which to develop prototypes and proof of concepts.
• Act as a domain expert, sharing best practices and knowledge with data scientists, analysts and cross-functional partners.
• Provide support to data scientists on complex problems, integration of findings or presentation of results, requiring high-level expertise.
• Act in a technical leadership capacity, coaching and mentoring data scientists and new team members and supporting their growth and professional development.
• Stay updated on the latest research and developments in Data Science and adjacent fields to ensure the latest technology, techniques and methods are always applied.

Qualifications    

• Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Information Technology, Information Systems or a related field – (essential).
• Post Graduate Degree (preferably Masters) in the above or related fields – (highly desired).

Experience    

• +5 years’ experience in a Data Scientist or similar role, solving complex business and technology problems through applying data science techniques within a fast-paced environment – (essential).
• Extensive experience applying machine learning, deep learning, data mining, modelling and mathematical and/or statistical concepts and methodology to support strategic business objectives – (essential).
• Expertise in SQL, Python and data science toolkits – (essential).
• Experience leading and developing others whilst taking ownership for specific project outcomes – (essential).
• Experience delivering project outcomes using design thinking, lean and agile principles – (essential).
• Experience in a retail, commercial or IT environment – (highly desired).
• Knowledge and Skills    
• Strong proficiency in MS Office 365 with advanced Excel skills – (essential).

Closing Date    
2023/04/21