Associate Data Scientist

Vans; Kreis Stabio; Vor Ort; CHF 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

On-site gym

50% VF discount

Complimentary hot drinks

Zusammenfassung

Vans, a VF Corporation brand, is seeking an associate data scientist to join the forecasting team in fashion retail. You will develop demand forecasting models across product lines, stores, and channels, contributing to planning, allocation, and replenishment.

You'll collaborate with data engineers, product and merchandising to deploy models, monitor performance, and communicate results clearly to stakeholders while growing toward end-to-end model ownership.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's or higher in Data Science, Statistics, CS, Engineering or related field.
• 1–2 years of data science and forecasting experience in fashion/retail is a strong plus.

Aufgaben

• Forecast demand across product, size, store, channel and market levels.
• Contribute to cold-start forecasting for new products, stores, and markets.
• Benchmark and productionize zero-shot and foundation models for time series.
• Collaborate with Data Engineers, DevOps, Product, Planning and Merchandising; present results clearly to stakeholders.

Kenntnisse

Demand Forecasting

Cold-Start Forecasting

Foundation Models

Time Series

Python

SQL

Generative AI basics

Databricks Lakehouse

Spark

ML Libraries

Pipelines & MLOps

Cross-Functional Collaboration

English Communication

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

scikit-learn

NumPy

pandas

StatsForecast

NeuralForecast

Spark

MLflow

Delta Lake

Databricks

Azure DevOps

Jobbeschreibung

How you'll make a difference

• Demand forecasting: build forecasting models at product, size, store, channel and market level across Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer, supporting buying, allocation, replenishment and planning.
• Cold‑Start forecasting: contribute to the team's work forecasting demand for new products, collections, stores and markets with no sales history, a core challenge in fashion and central to this role.
• State‑of‑the‑art methods: benchmark and productionize zero‑shot and foundation models for time series against classical and machine learning baselines.
• Collaboration: contribute to AI and Generative AI use cases, help monitor deployed models, and work with Data Engineers, DevOps, Product, Planning and Merchandising to drive adoption, presenting results and their limitations clearly to stakeholders.

Skills for Success

This is an associate‑level position: you will work within an established forecasting team, with a senior data scientist as your mentor, growing toward end‑to‑end ownership of your models.

Forecasting and Data Science Skills (we don't expect all of these; the more you bring, the better):

• Demand Forecasting in Fashion and Retail: hands‑on experience with short product lifecycles, strong seasonality, promotions and markdowns, size and colour curves, sparse demand and hierarchical forecasting.
• Cold‑Start Forecasting: attribute‑and similarity‑based approaches, product embeddings, like‑for‑like matching, transfer learning and pre‑season planning.
• Zero‑Shot and Foundation Models for Time Series: up‑to‑date knowledge of the state of the art (e.g., TimeGPT, Chronos, TimesFM), and the ability to benchmark zero‑shot versus fine‑tuned performance against strong baselines.
• Time Series Foundations: statistical (ARIMA, ETS, Croston), machine learning and deep learning (e.g., Gradient Boosting, DeepAR, N‑B.EATS, N‑HiTS) approaches, plus probabilistic forecasting, backtesting and metrics such as WMAPE and MASE.
• Python and ML Libraries: strong Python with pandas, NumPy, scikit‑learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow, and forecasting libraries such as statsmodels, StatsForecast, NeuralForecast.
• Statistics and SQL: core ML concepts, hypothesis and A/B testing, hyper‑parameter optimisation, and efficient SQL on large‑scale structured data.
• Generative AI basics: how LLMs are applied in practice (prompting, embeddings, RAG).
• Tools and Platforms (again, not a checklist; the more you bring, the better): Databricks Lakehouse Platform: our core platform. Hands‑on experience productionizing data and machine learning solutions with Python, PySpark, SQL, Delta Lake, notebooks and Workflows.
• Forecasting at Scale: training and scoring large numbers of time series in parallel on Spark, with Databricks Feature Engineering, MLflow and Unity Catalog.
• Pipelines and MLOps: scalable data and feature pipelines with Databricks Jobs and Pipelines, plus Git and CI/CD in Azure DevOps.
• Rapid Prototyping: lightweight front‑ends (Streamlit + Databricks Apps or equivalent) so stakeholders can interact with and validate forecasts.
• Business and Collaboration Skills: Business Understanding and Impact: translate planning, buying, allocation and merchandising problems into data science solutions with measurable value.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: explain forecasts, their assumptions and limitations to non‑technical audiences across business, planning and engineering.
• Curiosity and Ways of Working: a habit of following state‑of‑the‑art forecasting research, adaptable and well organised, fluent in English with excellent communication skills.

Education and Experience:

Required Background: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s a plus) in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, with around 1-2 years of experience in Data Science and forecasting.

Industry Background: experience in fashion, apparel or retail with exposure to demand planning, merchandising or supply chain is a strong plus.

What’s in it For You

We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well‑being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.

• A supportive feedback‑based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
• An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
• Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
• On site gym offering health and well‑being initiatives
• A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
• Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks
• Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

R-20260903-0029

VF Corporation habille les consommateurs partout dans le monde grâce à son portefeuille diversifié de marques emblématiques de style de vie, notamment Vans®, The North Face® et Timberland®. Fondée en 1899, VF est l’une des plus importantes entreprises mondiales de vêtements, de chaussures et d’accessoires. Elle exerce ses activités de façon socialement et écologiquement responsable dans de nombreuses régions du monde, catégories de produits et canaux de distribution. VF s’engage à offrir des produits novateurs aux consommateurs et à créer une valeur durable pour ses clients et ses actionnaires.

VF Corporation outfits consumers around the world with its diverse portfolio of iconic lifestyle brands, including Vans®, The North Face®, and Timberland®. Founded in 1899, VF is one of the world's largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with socially and environmentally responsible operations spanning numerous geographies, product categories and distribution channels. VF is committed to delivering innovative products to consumers and creating long‑term value for its customers and shareholders.

VF s’engage à créer un environnement inclusif qui accueille et valorise les différences parmi tous ses associés, ses clients, ses fournisseurs et les collectivités où nous vivons et exerçons nos activités.

Le succès et la croissance continus de VF sont renforcés par des initiatives qui favorisent la diversité à l’échelle mondiale.

VF s’engage à offrir l’égalité des chances en matière d’emploi et à traiter ses associés et ses candidats sans discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur, le sexe, l’âge, l’origine nationale, la religion, l’orientation sexuelle, l’identité de genre, l’expression de genre, l’état matrimonial, la citoyenneté, un handicap, le statut d’ancien combattant protégé, le statut VIH/sida ou tout autre motif protégé par la loi.

VF s’engage à répondre aux divers besoins des personnes en situation de handicap dans des délais raisonnables, conformément aux principes d’autonomie, de dignité, d’intégration et d’égalité des chances. Pour ce faire, VF s’efforcera de cerner, de prévenir et d’éliminer les obstacles à l’accessibilité partout où cela est possible, tout en respectant les exigences en matière d’accessibilité prévues par l’ADA, la LAPHO (AODA) et toute autre réglementation provinciale, étatique ou locale applicable.

VF s’engage à assurer l’accessibilité numérique, à se conformer aux Règles pour l’accessibilité des contenus Web (WCAG) 2.1, niveau AA, ainsi qu’à aux normes de conception accessible de l’ADA et de la LAPHO (AODA), et à toute autre réglementation applicable.

Si vous avez besoin d’une mesure d’adaptation ou si vous avez des questions concernant cet énoncé, veuillez transmettre votre demande à [e-mail]

VF Diversity Vision Statement VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected basis. VF is committed to meeting the diverse needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity, and will do so by striving to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility wherever possible as well as by meeting the accessibility requirements under the ADA, AODA, and other applicable regulations. If you need an accommodation or have any questions regarding this statement, please send your request to [e-mail].