Data Science Manager, Forecasting & Optimization

newbalance; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan support

Mentorship programs

Job summary

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, seeks a Data Science Manager, Forecasting & Optimization to lead a planning-focused data science group and own high-value forecasting and optimization work that informs global decisions. This hands-on role will code, deploy models, and mentor a small team of data scientists and contractors.

Partner with stakeholders to set priorities, ensure adoption, and deliver scalable data science products across planning, inventory, and supply-chain decisions.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in data science, forecasting, optimization, operations research, or related field with hands-on model development and deployment.
• 2+ years leading projects and/or guiding cross-functional delivery while remaining hands-on.
• 2+ years leading data scientists.
• Deep expertise with forecasting models and optimization techniques in retail or similar environments.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with production-quality modeling workflows on large datasets.
• Ability to partner with senior stakeholders, define roadmaps and drive adoption of analytics solutions.
• Experience with model evaluation, monitoring, governance and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy, and improve forecasting and optimization models for demand planning, allocation, inventory and related planning decisions.
• Write, review, and maintain scalable Python and SQL code for production pipelines.
• Partner with stakeholders to define priorities and translate business needs into data science products.
• Document model logic, business rules, and operating practices for long-term support.
• Collaborate with ML engineering and MLOps to productionize, monitor and explain models.
• Lead and coach a small team of data scientists while contributing technically.

Skills

Data science

Forecasting

Optimization

Operations research

Python

SQL

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Agile

Product ownership

Education

BA/BS in related field

Masters or PhD preferred

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION

The Data Science Team at New Balance is the center of excellence for applied data science across our global commercial businesses, creating value through actionable insights, scalable models, and AI-enabled decision support.

As the Data Science Manager, Forecasting & Optimization, you will lead New Balance's planning-focused data science group and own high-value forecasting and optimization work that improves global planning, inventory, and supply chain decisions. This is a hands-on player/coach role where you will write production-quality code, develop and deploy models, lead and develop data scientists and contractors, partner with stakeholders, and ensure solutions are adopted, monitored, and improved.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

A successful candidate in this role will focus on three core areas:

Technical Excellence

• Develop, deploy, and improve forecasting and optimization models for demand planning, allocation, assortment, inventory and related planning decisions.
• Write, review, and maintain high-quality Python and SQL code that can scale from experimentation into reliable production workflows.
• Connect model performance metrics such as accuracy, bias, stability, and service levels to business outcomes including sales, inventory productivity, margin, and efficiency.

Business Partnership & Product Delivery

• Partner with stakeholders to define priorities, align roadmaps, and translate business needs into scalable data science products.
• Document model logic, business rules, assumptions and operating practices so solutions can scale and be supported over time.
• Work with ML engineering and MLOps partners to make models production-ready, monitored, explainable, and maintainable.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Manage and coach a small team (1-3) of data scientists while staying hands-on in model development, code reviews, technical design and production delivery.
• Create repeatable standards for experimentation, validation, governance, documentation, stakeholder communication, and adoption measurement.
• Build a culture of technical excellence, pragmatic problem-solving, collaboration and stakeholder empathy, and continuous learning.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS

• 6+ years of experience in data science, forecasting, optimization, operations research, or a related field, including hands-on model development and deployment.
• 2+ years leading projects and/or guiding cross-functional delivery while remaining hands-on with technical work.
• 2+ years leading data scientists.
• Deep expertise with forecasting models and optimization techniques across areas such as demand planning, inventory optimization, simulation, or decision science, ideally in a retail environment.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with experience building scalable, production-quality modeling workflows using large datasets.
• Ability to partner with senior stakeholders, define roadmaps, influence priorities, communicate clearly, and drive adoption of analytical or AI-enabled solutions.
• Strong understanding of model evaluation, monitoring, retraining, governance, documentation, and lifecycle management.
• BA/BS in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD preferred.
• Practical data science experience in retail, consumer products, or supply chain is preferred.
• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Azure, AWS, GCP or similar cloud platforms is preferred.
• Experience building production data science products, APIs, dashboards, optimization engines, or decision-support tools.
• Familiarity with Agile delivery, product ownership, roadmap planning, and measurable adoption strategies.

Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB) Only Pay Range: $138,500.00 - $173,000.00 - $207,500.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a