Lead Operations research Scientist

About Target

As a Fortune 50 company with more than 400,000 team members worldwide, Target is an iconic brand and one of America's leading retailers. Joining Target means promoting a culture of mutual care and respect and striving to make the most meaningful and positive impact. Becoming a Target team member means joining a community that values diverse voices and lifts each other up. Here, we believe your unique perspective is important, and you'll build relationships by being authentic and respectful.

About the Tea

mSupply Chain Network Optimization (SCNO) is a global team and part of Integrated Operations Planning & Network steering within Global Supply Chain and Logistics. We are at the forefront of defining and enabling an efficient, reliable and best in class supply chain. This team uses a wide variety of engineering and advanced applied mathematical techniques (5Whys, ML, AI, OR, MILP, DES,) techniques to study and solve niche problems in supply chain across the entire value chain (Planning, purchasing, transportation, multi echelon inventory, last mile and process optimization) to enable the best guest experience and profitable growth for Target

.
About the Ro

leAs a Lead Operations Research Scientist in SCNO, you will tackle complex supply chain challenges, develop a deep understanding of problem complexity, and drive cutting-edge solutions. This role requires strong experience working with large data sets, advanced programming skills, and a solid foundation in statistics, probability theory, machine learning, AI, simulations (such as Monte Carlo and discrete event simulation), and operations researc

h.
You will be expected to work effectively on high-visibility problems that come with inherent risks, roadblocks, and constraints, while collaborating closely with cross-functional stakeholders. You will also be accountable for planning and delivering team projects, ensuring alignment across teams, and driving measurable impa

ct.Key responsibilities inclu

• de:Identify large scale problem spaces aligned to enterprise priorities. Actively engage with cross-functional business stakeholders to structure the ambiguous proble
• ms.Work with & guide junior researchers to gather, analyze, and process large data sets to identify problems and root caus
• es.Develop and apply advanced operations research techniques, applied AI, and machine learning methods to solve multi-dimensional business proble
• ms.Build and run complex simulations, conduct scenario analyses, and employ optimization metho
• ds.Plan and develop project charters with clearly defined milestones and success metri
• cs.Build cross-functional alignment, remove blockers to accelerate project delive
• ry.Communicate insights effectively through clear and concise storytelling to influence decision-maki

ng.Core responsibilities of this job are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business nee

ds.

Abou

• t You9+ years of professional experience with a bachelors or masters degree (5+ years for a PhD) in Operations Research, Applied AI, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related f
• ield.4+ years of experience applying advanced data science and operations research techni
• ques.4+ years of experience with programming in Python, PySpark and open-source data science t
• ools.Hands on experience with AI and machine learning, including working with large language models and modern ML framew
• orks.Strong problem structuring and solving skills with the ability to address business challenges creati
• vely.Passionate about continuous learning and empirical research, with excellent communication skills, both written and ve
• rbal.Retail and supply chain experience is a
• plus.Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate effectively across locations and time z
• ones.Strong written and verbal communication sk

ills.
Why Work with Us at T

• arget?Work on advanced analytics and data science initiatives that directly impact Targets value chain, including planning & purchasing strategies, inventory planning, transportation efficiency, and 4-walls optimiz
• ation.We support your professional growth through learning and development opportun
• ities.We value diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment that contributes to positive customer experi
• ences.We offer flexible work schedules and arrangements, allowing team members to succeed both at work and in their personal lives in a hybrid se

tting.
Useful Links to Learn More About Target and Our B

• enefitsLife at Target: https://india.targ
• et.com/Benefits: https://india.target.com/life-at-target/workplace/b