Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Catalyst is a company that unites iconic retail brands under a modern vision for success. They are seeking a Senior Data Scientist to deliver analytical solutions that enhance store performance and decision-making across their brands. The role involves developing advanced analytics models, collaborating with various departments, and translating complex data into actionable insights.
Responsibilities
- Develops and applies analytics models that diagnose store performance drivers, including traffic, conversion, UPT, AUR, labor utilization, shrink, and improved margin profitability
- Identifies underperforming stores, quantifies root causes, and recommends targeted interventions (labor scheduling, product placement, assortment, training, process redesign)
- Designs and applies rigorous test-and-learn standards and approaches to evaluate operational and merchandising initiatives, translating results into clear recommendations and scalable actions
- Creates models to detect operational patterns, identify key causal factors, and predict outcomes based on leading indicators
- Develops predictive and decision-support models for scheduling, staffing coverage, fulfillment flows, and allocation decisions that affect store performance and profitability
- Transforms operational data—POS, labor, tasking, shrink events, foot traffic—into intelligence that supports rapid experimentation and decision-making
- Continuously refines models and reporting to adapt to evolving store strategies, customer behaviors, and brand needs
- Presents insights and performance diagnostics to store leadership, distilling complex analytics into clear narratives that guide operational strategy
- Partners with Store Operations, Finance, Merchandising, and Field Leadership to align analytics outputs with business priorities
- Guides cross-functional initiatives that drive measurable improvements in sales, labor productivity, customer satisfaction, and overall store profitability
Skills
- 6-10+ years of advanced analytics/data science experience
- Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related fields
- Demonstrated success delivering analytics solutions, including forecasting, optimization, and segmentation, using ML models and AI tools that drive measurable operational or financial outcomes
- Strong analytical judgment in noisy data environments, with the ability to identify and validate relevant data, distinguish causal from predictive questions, make valid comparisons, surface bias and assumptions, and translate model outputs into sound business conclusions
- Financial and operational acumen, able to interpret P&Ls and operational KPIs
- Influential written and verbal communication skills, able to guide decision-making without direct authority
- Ability to model and promote a culture of intellectual honesty, constructive skepticism, shared ownership, continuous improvement, and practical rigor to drive improved business decisions
- Proficient in Python and SQL, able to build and validate reproducible workflows, including AI-assisted code
- Master's degree is a plus
- Retail preferred or other operationally intensive environments with consumer exposure
Benefits
- Medical/dental/vision insurance starting on day one
- Term life insurance
- Paid vacation/holidays
- 401(k) Savings Plan with company match
- An associate discount on JCPenney merchandise.
- We offer a variety of training and development programs
- Opportunities for advancement
- Vibrant work environment
- Collaborative and supportive culture
Company Overview