Lead Analyst, Operations Insights & Analytics

Chipotle Mexican Grill; Newport Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is hiring a Lead Analyst, Operations Insights & Analytics to guide advanced analytics across restaurant operations. You will partner with Operations Services, Field Finance, Digital Product/Restaurant Experience to develop insights that explain performance and inform decisions.

The role focuses on Voice of the Guest analytics by combining surveys, reviews, and feedback sources. In Newport Beach, this hybrid role requires strong SQL, Python or R, experience with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a quantitative, analytical, or business-oriented field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in insights, analytics, data science, or related analytical function.
• Strong curiosity about the guest experience and what drives customer satisfaction.
• Advanced SQL proficiency, including complex query development and data transformation.
• Strong programming in Python or R with statistical, ML, or NLP techniques.
• Experience with unstructured data such as text analytics, surveys, and reviews.
• Ability to turn complex data into clear business narratives and recommendations.
• Strong business acumen and stakeholder leadership.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytics workstreams focused on core restaurant operations, guest experience, and business performance.
• Develop Voice of the Guest analytics by integrating internal surveys, external reviews, Customer Care data, and other sources.
• Analyze structured and unstructured data using NLP, clustering, regression, classification, and ML methods.
• Synthesize insights across datasets to identify trends and opportunities.
• Influence stakeholders across Operations, Digital, Marketing, Finance, and Restaurant Experience.
• Translate ambiguous questions into analytical frameworks and recommendations.
• Develop executive-ready analyses, readouts, and recommendations.
• Partner with Data, Technology, and Analytics teams to improve data quality and governance.

Skills

SQL proficiency

Python/R

Unstructured data

NLP techniques

Executive storytelling

Cross-functional leadership

Statistical methods

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.

The Lead Analyst, Operations Insights & Analytics will create and guide advanced analytics workstreams that support decision-making across Chipotle’s core restaurant operations. You will partner closely with Operations Services, Field Finance, Digital Product/Restaurant Experience, and other cross-functional teams to develop insights that explain business performance, identify operational opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.

A key focus of this role will be advancing Chipotle’s Voice of the Guest analytics capability. You will help bring together customer feedback data from internal surveys, external restaurant reviews, Customer Care contacts, and other guest sentiment sources to understand what guests are experiencing, why it matters, and how those insights connect to operational and financial performance. This work will include shaping emerging data assets, exploring structured and unstructured data, applying advanced analytical techniques, and translating findings into clear business implications for leaders across Operations, Digital, Marketing, and Finance.

Additionally, the Lead Analyst will serve as a subject matter expert in restaurant operations analytics, helping define and interpret key metrics, connect disparate data sources, and elevate the quality of decision-making through rigorous analysis. You will operate at the intersection of business strategy, statistical methods, data engineering, and stakeholder communication, helping Chipotle better understand restaurant performance, guest experience, and the operational drivers that matter most.

LOCATION

This hybrid position will be based in our Newport Beach, CA office 4 days per week (with work from home on Friday). Remote work is not available for this role.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead advanced analytics workstreams focused on core restaurant operations, guest experience, and business performance.
• Develop and evolve Voice of the Guest analytics by integrating internal surveys, external restaurant reviews, Customer Care contacts, digital feedback, and other guest sentiment data sources.
• Analyze structured and unstructured data using relevant analytical techniques, including natural language processing, clustering, regression modeling, classification, optimization, and other statistical or machine learning methods.
• Synthesize insights across multiple datasets—including first- and third-party data to identify trends, explain performance drivers, and uncover opportunities.
• Influence key stakeholders across Operations, Digital, Marketing, Finance, and Restaurant Experience by connecting guest feedback insights to business decisions, strategic priorities, and measurable outcomes.
• Translate ambiguous business questions into analytical frameworks, data requirements, methodological approaches, and decision-ready recommendations.
• Develop executive-ready analyses, readouts, and recommendations that clearly communicate what is happening, why it is happening, and what actions Chipotle should consider.
• Partner with Data, Technology, and Analytics teams to improve data quality, data modeling, documentation, and governance for restaurant operations and guest feedback analytics.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE

• Bachelor’s Degree in a quantitative, analytical, or business-oriented field, such as Business Analytics, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related discipline; Master’s degree in relevant field preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in insights, analytics, data science, business analytics, operations analytics, customer analytics, or a related analytical function, with demonstrated end-to-end ownership of complex cross-functional workstreams.
• Strong curiosity about the guest experience and what drives customer satisfaction, loyalty, complaints, advocacy, and overall perceptions of the Chipotle brand.
• Advanced SQL proficiency, including complex query development, data transformation, metric validation, troubleshooting, and development of reusable analytical logic.
• Strong programming and analytical skills in Python, R, or a similar language, with experience applying statistical, machine learning, or natural language processing techniques to business problems.
• Experience working with unstructured or semi-structured data, including text analytics, survey verbatims, customer feedback, online reviews, contact center data, or other qualitative data sources.
• Demonstrated ability to turn complex data and analytical outputs into clear business narratives, executive-level presentations, and actionable recommendations.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect analytical findings to operational performance, financial outcomes, guest experience, and strategic priorities.
• Proven stakeholder leadership with partners across company functions, including aligning on definitions and priorities, managing tradeoffs, and driving decisions.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to distill complex analytical work into clear recommendations for senior leaders.

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM

PAY TRANSPARENCY

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $133,000 - $187,000. You are also eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education. Chipotle offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, sick leave, vacation time, and much more. Visit https://jobs.chipotle.com/benefits

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. As a people-first company rooted in values, our purpose extends beyond serving nutritious food using real ingredients. It means hiring world‑class individuals and fostering a culture that champions diversity, ensures equity, and celebrates inclusion. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. Please contact [e-mail] if you need an accommodation due to a disability to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process. This email does not respond to non-accommodations related requests.