Lead Data Scientist

Overview

The Data Science Pillar in D+A will be the organization where Data Scientist and ML Engineers report to in the broader D+A Organization. Also DS will lead, facilitate and collaborate on the larger DS community in PepsiCo. DS will provide the talent for the development and support of DS component and its life cycle within D+A Products. And will support “pre-engagement” activities as requested and validated by the prioritization framework of D+A.

This role provide direction, and expertise to the team of Pricing Analysts, ensuring the effective execution of pricing and promotion data science strategies in a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) environment. The key responsibilities includes:

• Provide guidance on complex data analysis, including Price elasticity, Post Event Analytics to support data-driven decision-making for build/sustain markets
• This role will be to be part of growing team based in Hyderabad, India to create and support global digital developments for PepsiCo. These developments will be around topics like Price Elasticity and Post Event Analytics and other similar topics in RGM.
• This will be part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team around data science, where you will be responsible of building deployable statistical/machine learning models, starting from the discovery phase. You will work closely with process owners, product owners and final business users. This will provide you the correct visibility and understanding of criticality of your developments.
• You will be an internal ambassador of the team’s culture around data and analytics. You will provide stewardship to colleagues in the areas that you are an specialist or you are specializing.
• Lead and Mentor the Data Science Associates, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Communicate complex data-driven insights and recommendations effectively to senior leadership and other key stakeholders
• Oversee project planning, coordination, and execution to meet established goals and timelines
• Encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving to continuously improve strategies and processes
• Ensure team members are proficient in utilizing current process and company-specific software systems
• Improve existing capabilities on Pricing and Promo Analytics by staying on top of industry trends and best practices.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Active contributor to code development in projects and services in the cDNA project
• Manage the team, ensure their priorities are clear and support them in whatever they need to succeed.
• Act as contributor in innovation activities within the cDNA scope
• Partner with data engineers to ensure data access for discovery and proper data is prepared for model consumption.
• Partner with ML engineers working on industrialization.
• Occasionally, coordinate work activities with Business teams, other IT services and as required.
• Communicate with business stakeholders in the process of service design, training and knowledge transfer.
• Support large-scale experimentation and build data-driven models.
• Set KPIs and metrics to evaluate analytics solution given a particular use case.
• Refine requirements into modelling problems.
• Influence product teams through data-based recommendations.
• Research in state-of-the-art methodologies.
• Create documentation for learnings and knowledge transfer.
• Provide guidance and support to associates, assisting in their professional development; serve as a subject matter expert and resource for the team
• Collaborate with the leadership team on pricing and promotion strategies; assist in the development and refinement of pricing strategies in the CPG sector
• Influence Business on Pricing and Promotion decisions, support the development of a clear channel and customer promotion strategy.
• Monitor and support the execution of pricing, promotion, and product mix strategies; help ensure that strategies align with business objectives
• Offer expertise in data analysis, including Price Elasticity, Pricing Conjoint, and Promotion Effectiveness; assist team members with analytical tools and methodologies for data-driven decision-making
• Assist in gathering critical insights, market data, and competitive intelligence for pricing and promotion strategies; collaborate with the team to communicate findings effectively
• Define promotional guidelines and optimal offers, identify promotion frequency to deliver targeted Consumer Value, Effectiveness, and Profitability.
• Improve existing promotion strategies and develop new ones to improve Promo ROI and market share.
• Manage expectations through effective verbal and written communication with division, sector, and sales functions.
• Conduct quality checks and take end to end responsibility of deliverables by the team.
• Ensure the delivery of accurate and timely data in accordance with agreed service level agreements (SLA)
• Collaborate with multiple functions to gather insights for action-oriented cause of change analysis
• Prioritize speed of execution and quality of service delivery over simply meeting SLAs
• Recognize opportunities for improvement in the delivery of work and take proactive action to enhance processes and outcomes
  
  

Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ Years of experience in Sales Analytics/ Sales Management/ Revenue Management.
• 5+ years’ experience in Statistical/ML techniques to solve supervised (regression, classification) and unsupervised problems. Experiences with Deep Learning are a plus.
• Exceptional analytical skills with advanced proficiency in MS Excel (VBA and Macros).
• Business storytelling and communicating data insights in business consumable format. Fluent in one Visualization tool is a plus like Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience with Azure cloud services is Preferred.
• Deep grounding in analytical logic, enabling the translation of complex data into powerful insights
• Proficiency in using PowerPoint to create visually compelling presentations that resonate with senior audiences
• Experience with Agile methodology for team work and analytics ‘product’ creation. Fluent in ADO, Jira.
• Proven track record in building executable commercial and financial strategies with atleast 2 years in a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) environment, top-tier consulting preferred.
• Experience in scoping problems and managing senior stakeholders.
• Clear and impactful communication in the English language, especially in producing high-quality commentary for senior stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or statistics/Mathematics and Master's degree from reputed Institute.
• Willingness and ability to quickly learn and utilize PepsiCo software systems
• Exceptional time management skills, including the ability to multitask, set priorities, and plan effectively
• Familiarity complex Feature engineering Techniques
• High on Curiosity, quick learner, strong problem-solving mindset.
• Team leadership
• Numerate thinker, good at data analysis with strong attention to detail
• Proactively communicates using appropriate methods for situation and audience in clear, concise and professional manner
• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively with multi-functional teams and influencing stakeholders.
• Being flexible and agile yet organized in order to handle competing priorities.