Data Scientist III

Data Scientist III

Value Proposition

The Shoprite Group is Africa's largest fast-moving consumer goods retailer with over 35 million customers and 2,500 outlets. Our customers are at the heart of what we do, and our sole purpose is to provide all communities with high quality products at the most affordable prices. Within such a dynamic environment, innovation, and the effective application of data is becoming essential to maintain a competitive position.

We continue to invest in being a technologically innovative and enabled business.

You will be part of delivering multi-channel data applications to some of the most recognised retail brands in South Africa. You will be surrounded by teams and individuals who challenge you and inspire you to be extraordinary. Are you ready to make an impact?

Role Purpose

The purpose of the Data Scientist III role is to oversee complex data solutions driving data as a commercial advantage for Shoprite, leading a portfolio of data science projects while mentoring and coaching other data scientists to create a high-performing team. A conceptual and critical thinker, providing insights that enable innovation and best practices in a big data environment.

Role Description

• Contribute towards the development of Shoprite data strategy to deliver best-in-class analytics across the organisation.
• Work with business stakeholders to identify business requirements and model and frame business scenarios that are meaningful and which impact on critical business processes and/or decisions.
• Work closely with data and software teams to shape and enable deployment of fit-for-purpose, robust solutions that will scale across the company's ecosystem.
• Develop, plan and prioritise data projects and delegate assigned roles and responsibilities for execution, weighing business and technical trade-offs as required.
• Lead the development of analytics-focused products, using machine learning, natural language
• processing, and mathematical / statistical techniques to develop powerful sciences that delivers business value and impact.
• Work with the data scientist team to define models to be created and implemented together with the approach for implementing them and monitor for accuracy, integrity and robustness.
• Define data quality expectations and provide ongoing tracking and monitoring of performance of data systems and models.
• Produce sophisticated data preparation in order to reduce and shape data.
• Apply comprehensive set of predictive and descriptive modelling techniques to the data appropriate to achieving the business objectives which includes decision trees and association rules.
• Identify and manage data development challenges, offer suggestions, and deploy appropriate
• solutions.
• Report on analytical findings and results to senior stakeholders, using data visualisation techniques to tell compelling stories, while tying progress to enterprise goals.
• Evaluate new and emerging technologies from which to develop prototypes and proof of concepts.
• Act as a domain expert, sharing best practices and knowledge with data scientists, analysts and cross functional partners.
• Provide support to data scientists on complex problems, integration of findings or presentation of results, requiring high-level expertise.
• Act in a technical leadership capacity, coaching and mentoring data scientists and new team members and supporting their growth and professional development.
• Stay updated on the latest research and developments in Data Science and adjacent fields to ensure the latest technology, techniques and methods are always applied.

Qualifications and experience

• Degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field (essential). Post Graduate Degree in the above or related fields – (desired)
• +5 years' experience in a similar role, consistently leading and solving complex business and tech problems within a fast-paced environment – (essential).
• In-depth statistical modelling, machine learning, and data mining experience;
  Leadership in Analytics, Project Management – (essential).
• Expertise in SQL, Python, Tableau, Mat Lab, and Large Datasets, Excel, R, Low Code skill, Generative AI, RAG –…