Senior Data Scientist, Search and Recommendations

CarMax Business Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Equity opportunities

Job summary

CarMax, the nation's largest retailer of used cars, is seeking a Sr. Data Scientist to drive pricing and inventory analytics. You will build predictive models, validate them, and present insights to senior leadership to influence strategic decisions.

You’ll work with diverse data sources, run controlled experiments, and shape long-term data science initiatives. Ideal candidates have strong modeling, statistical analysis, and communication skills, plus 2+ years in analytical roles.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in predictive modeling and statistical analysis.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems using analytics and influence outcomes.
• Experience managing projects and delivering results on time.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Track record of building collaborative relationships and driving team success.
• Undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in strategic analysis, financial analysis, consulting, or engineering.

Responsibilities

• Analyze large, complex datasets to develop, validate, and enhance predictive models.
• Incorporate new data sources to improve model accuracy and performance.
• Design and execute controlled experiments to measure business impact.
• Present actionable insights to senior leadership to influence decisions.
• Research emerging methodologies to advance modeling capabilities.
• Shape the team’s strategic roadmap for data science innovation.

Skills

Predictive modeling

Statistical analysis

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

SQL

Python

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline

Graduate degree in statistics/data science

Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

8901 - Corp Office West Crk - 12800 Tuckahoe Creek Parkway, Richmond, Virginia, 23238

Position Overview

As a Sr. Data Scientist at CarMax, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of automotive retail through advanced analytics and innovative modeling. CarMax disrupted the industry over 20 years ago and remains the market leader in a $500B+ sector. Our success is built on best-in-class financial performance, customer satisfaction, and associate engagement. To maintain our analytics-driven competitive edge, we leverage algorithm-based pricing and inventory systems. We’re seeking passionate, strategic thinkers who thrive on solving complex problems and driving business-critical decisions through data.

Why CarMax?

At CarMax, we are the nation’s largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We’re rethinking the way people buy cars – and it’s our associates that help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. This is where innovation meets passion – be inspired and supported to take us to the future.

Team Overview

Our Data Science Team develops predictive models that deliver thousands of real-time recommendations daily. This work demands expertise in statistics, machine learning, and advanced analytics, combined with technical proficiency, creativity, and a results-driven mindset.

Role Responsibilities

As a technical expert on our modeling team, you will:

• Analyze large, complex datasets to develop, validate, and enhance predictive models using statistical and machine learning techniques.
• Incorporate new data sources (e.g., customer interest metrics, web clickstream, market pricing) to improve model accuracy and performance.
• Design and execute controlled experiments to measure the business impact of new models.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership to influence strategic decisions.
• Research emerging methodologies and best practices to advance CarMax’s modeling capabilities.
• Shape the team’s strategic roadmap for data science innovation and communicate model functionality to technical and non-technical audiences.

Required Qualifications

• Strong expertise in predictive modeling and statistical analysis, with a passion for continuous learning.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems using analytics and influence outcomes.
• Experience managing projects and delivering results on time.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Track record of building collaborative relationships and driving team success.
• Undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in strategic analysis, financial analysis, consulting, or engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in statistics, data science, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with SQL and Python for big data analysis.

About CarMax

At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive.
As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change—sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what’s next. Join us in creating a better future– for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.
CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The annual salary for this position is:

$106,000.00 - $159,000.00

May be eligible for bonus and equity.

Benefits:

Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time.

Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible:

• To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company.
• For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay.

Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval.

For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website.

Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application