Data Scientist

SUMMARY:The Data Scientist is a high-impact, strategic role responsible for identifying, developing, and deploying data-driven solutions that transform how Hercules Industries operates. This position goes beyond traditional analytics, focusing on driving measurable business value through advanced modeling, insight generation, and business integration. $98,000 - $113,000 per year, DOE

 The Data Scientist partners with leadership across supply chain, operations, and commercial functions to uncover opportunities, challenge legacy processes, and enable a step-change in decision-making and performance. This role contributes to both incremental optimization and breakthrough innovation that supports long-term enterprise value creation.

PURPOSE: Drive enterprise performance by translating complex business challenges into data-driven solutions that improve decision-making, optimize operations, and enable scalable, sustainable competitive advantage.

This role contributes to outcomes across forecasting → inventory → operations → performance by embedding analytics into core business processes and building a foundation for a modern, data-driven organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

VALUE IDENTIFICATION & PROBLEM FRAMING

· Partner with executive and functional leaders to identify high-impact opportunities for data-driven transformation

· Translate ambiguous business challenges into structured analytical problem statements

· Quantify potential business value (inventory, service, margin, cash flow)

· Prioritize initiatives based on strategic importance and return

Performance Expectations:

· Consistently identifies high-value opportunities aligned with business priorities

· Demonstrates strong problem-structuring and critical thinking skills

· Connects analytical work directly to financial and operational outcomes

ADVANCED ANALYTICS & MODEL DEVELOPMENT

· Design, build, and deploy predictive and prescriptive models, including:

· Demand forecasting

· Inventory optimization (safety stock, EOQ/MOQ, multi-echelon)

· Supplier performance and lead time variability

· Operational efficiency and throughput optimization

· Pricing segmentation and optimization

· Estimating tools and economic optimization models

· Apply statistical, machine learning, and optimization techniques

· Ensure models are scalable, interpretable, and aligned with business realities

Performance Expectations:

· Develops models that are both technically sound and practically applicable

· Balances sophistication with usability and business adoption

· Continuously improves model performance and relevance

DATA EXPLORATION & INSIGHT GENERATION

· Perform exploratory data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes

· Partner with Data Engineering to ensure clean, reliable datasets

· Identify and address data gaps and integrity issues

· Build datasets and structures for ongoing decision-making

Performance Expectations:

· Produces actionable insights, not just analysis

· Improves data quality and usability over time

· Builds reusable data assets that scale across the organization

BUSINESS INTEGRATION & DECISION ENABLEMENT

· Translate analytical outputs into clear, actionable insights

· Embed models into business processes (SIOP, purchasing, planning, inventory)

· Drive adoption through usability and alignment with workflows

· Support leadership decision-making with data-driven recommendations

Performance Expectations:

· Drives adoption of analytics into daily operations

· Communicates insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders

· Ensures solutions are practical and sustainable

TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION

· Challenge legacy processes and identify step-change improvements

· Lead or support initiatives related to forecasting, inventory, service, and digital enablement

· Contribute to building a data-driven culture

Performance Expectations:

· Actively contributes to transformation initiatives

· Identifies opportunities for innovation and disruption

· Builds momentum for continuous improvement and change

COMMUNICATION & INFLUENCE

· Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership

· Communicate complex concepts in clear business terms

· Influence cross-functional stakeholders to adopt new approaches

Performance Expectations:

· Effectively communicates with both technical and business audiences

· Builds credibility as a trusted advisor

· Drives alignment and action across teams

KEY PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREAS

Performance in this role is measured through contribution to the following areas:

· Forecast accuracy and demand planning effectiveness

· Inventory performance (turns, working capital, service levels)

· Operational efficiency and throughput improvements

· Margin expansion and cost optimization opportunities

· Data quality, integrity, and accessibility

· Adoption of analytics within core business processes

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

· Measurable business impact across supply chain, operations, and commercial performance

· Data-driven decision-making becomes embedded in daily operations

· Strong adoption of models and insights across the organization

· Continuous pipeline of high-value analytical initiatives

· Recognized as a key contributor to enterprise transformation

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the below essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability preferred. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       Bachelor’s degree in data science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, or related field (Master’s preferred)

·       3–7+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or related field

·       Experience applying statistical modeling, machine learning, and optimization techniques

·       Experience working with large datasets and data visualization tools

·       Strong business acumen with ability to translate data into actionable insights

·       Experience in supply chain, operations, or manufacturing environments preferred

·       Proficiency in tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualization platforms

·       Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills

·       Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Why Hercules

·       Opportunity to make a material impact; your work will matter

·       Work in a company that is actively transforming and investing in data and analytics

·       Employee-owned (ESOP), aligning effort with long-term value creation

·       Right-sized organization: large enough for complexity, small enough for visibility and impact

·       A culture that values curiosity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to effectively communicate with customers and staff to make an accurate assessment of customer needs. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations required to accurately complete assigned tasks.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Intermediate/Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ability to learn any additional software needed to perform job duties.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral or written form. Ability to use sound judgment and problem-solving skills.

ATTENDANCE DEMANDS: The attendance demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Attendance is required Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. or within normal business hours as established by the supervisor.  Employee may be required to work overtime, and occasional Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk and stand; use hands, handle, or feel; and required to speak, read, and hear English.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud on occasion.

·       This position may on occasion be exposed to extreme weather conditions that may affect a warehouse environment.

·       This is a fast-paced environment.

DISCLAIMER: The preceding job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Hercules Industries is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or other legally protected status.