Senior Data Scientist - Merch Algorithms & Inventory Optimization

About the Team

At Stitch Fix, our data science team combines data insights with expert human judgment to generate innovative recommendations that transform the way our clients discover what they love. We believe in a curiosity-driven data science culture where members have autonomy to deliver impact through analyzing data, building reusable tools & processes and integrating with live engineering services. The diversity of the problems that we work on, and the data-rich environment of our business, make it possible, even essential, to bring the tools of multiple disciplines to bear on our hardest problems. We are looking for data scientists and leaders to join us as we revolutionize retail.

The Merchandising Algorithms team helps ensure that Stitch Fix purchases the right inventory to delight our clients while also supporting their sellthrough via pricing recommendations and other levers in order to efficiently operate the business. Team members are owners of the health and efficiency of our inventory state, providing recommendations and analytical insights to empower our business partners to improve our assortment. Alongside partnerships in merchandise, engineering, and product, this role will focus on building tools to optimally disseminate operational budgets when purchasing inventory, all while maintaining a high value product experience for our clients.

About the Role

This role will combine technical expertise in data science and optimization techniques with strong decision-making capabilities to drive data-informed strategic decisions across the organization. The ideal candidate will have a passion for solving complex business problems, utilizing data to derive insights, and providing actionable recommendations that guide key business decisions. As a Senior Full Stack Data Scientist at Stitch Fix, you will design, implement, and validate improvements to our repurchased inventory buying strategy to ensure optimal sellthrough given business constraints and client demand. Optimizing our inventory has considerable opportunity for impact at Stitch Fix, by combining a deep focus on ensuring a client-right approach to inventory management with smart, active processes to increase business efficiency and unit margin.

You're excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Build key relationships with stakeholders across  product, engineering, finance, and operations  and collaborate on translating business challenges into analytical questions that can be addressed using data science techniques 
• Use decision-modeling frameworks, such as simulations, optimization models, and A/B testing, to assess potential outcomes and guide decision-making.
• Solution at high speed with a small, agile team of coworkers to produce outsized impact on the business
• Have the autonomy to identify unaddressed problems in the business as well as offer new, improved solutions to existing challenges
• Build tools and dashboards to support data-driven decision-making and empower non-technical stakeholders to leverage data insights in day-to-day decisions.
• Be exposed to a wide-open field of opportunity for impact with plenty of challenges to make your own
• Work in concert with and learn from a large, diverse, and world-class Algorithms team towards the common goal of transforming the way people find what they love.

We’re excited about you because…

• You are proficient in building and deployment apps using the Python data ecosystem
• You have 1+ years experience with optimization techniques such as linear programming, dynamic programming and others. A bonus if you have experience with Gurobi!
• You’re fluent in SQL and have experience handling large-scale datasets
• You have an understanding of statistical principles and how to apply them to data and experimental results, and can communicate derived insights to stakeholders to drive action 
• You drive for resiliency. You take a principled approach to complexity, and can make smart bets on where to invest time and system burden for maximum business impact
• You’re curious about what’s happening outside your immediate sphere and how you can leverage insights elsewhere inside the domains you own
• You have familiarity with data visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, looker etc
• You’re happiest as a team player, able to balance time against multiple systems and work streams with defined objectives

Why you'll love working at Stitch Fix...

• We are a group of bright, kind people who are motivated by challenge. We value integrity, innovation and trust. You’ll bring these characteristics to life in everything you do at Stitch Fix.
• We cultivate a community of diverse perspectives— all voices are heard and valued.
• We are an innovative company and leverage our strengths in fashion and tech to disrupt the future of retail. 
• We win as a team, commit to our work, and celebrate grit together because we value strong relationships.
• We boldly create the future while keeping equity and sustainability at the center of all that we do. 
• We are the owners of our work and are energized by solving problems through a growth mindset lens. We think broadly and creatively through every situation to create meaningful impact.
• We offer comprehensive compensation packages and inclusive health and wellness benefits.