Director, Data Science

Job Description

Job Summary 

Advance Auto Parts is seeking a strategic and visionary Director of Data Science to lead and scale our Data Science practice. In this high-impact leadership role, you will drive data-driven decision-making across the organization, unlock new business opportunities, and deliver measurable value by leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, AI and Gen AI. Reporting directly to the Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO), you will play a critical role in shaping the company’s data strategy, fostering innovation, and ensuring our data science initiatives align with broader business objectives. 
The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a deep understanding of data science methodologies, a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, and the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

This position is part of a Hybrid work arrangement requiring four days a week in-office at the Advance Auto Parts headquarters in Raleigh, NC.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned:  

Leadership & Strategy 

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing Data Science team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. 

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the Data Science practice, aligning with the company’s overall data and analytics strategy and business goals. 

• Act as a thought leader and advisor to the Chief Data and Analytics Officer, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams on opportunities to leverage data science to drive business value. 

• Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in data science, machine learning, and AI, and identify opportunities for their adoption at Advance Auto Parts. 

Data Science Practice Development 

• Develop and implement scalable data science frameworks, tools, and methodologies to deliver predictive and prescriptive insights. 

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models and AI solutions to solve complex business problems, such as demand forecasting, pricing optimization, labor forecast engine, and supply chain network optimization. 

• Establish best practices for model development, validation, deployment, and monitoring to ensure robustness, scalability, and business impact. 

• Advocate for data-driven decision-making across the organization by translating complex analytics into actionable insights and storytelling. 

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, Product Management, Field, Merchandising, supply chain, and finance, to identify high-impact use cases and prioritize data science initiatives. 

• Work with data engineering and analytics teams to ensure the availability of clean, reliable, and scalable data pipelines and infrastructure. 

• Foster strong relationships with business leaders to ensure alignment between data science initiatives and organizational objectives. 

Operational Excellence 

• Establish KPIs and metrics to measure the success and ROI of data science projects and initiatives. 

• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and ethical standards when designing and deploying machine learning models. 

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with data science projects and the use of AI technologies. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Skills 

• Deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence techniques, as well as hands-on experience with tools and frameworks such as Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar. 

• Strong understanding of data engineering principles 

• Strong understanding of data engineering principles, including ETL pipelines, data warehousing, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. 

• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex challenges into actionable solutions. 

• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment 

Leadership Qualities 

• Visionary leadership with a passion for fostering a data-driven culture. 

• Strong team-building skills, with the ability to recruit, develop, and retain top talent in data science. 

• Collaborative mindset and an ability to build strong partnerships across technical and business teams. 

• Commitment to ethical AI practices and responsible use of data, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in all data science initiatives. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. 

• 10+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or a related field, with at least 4 years in a leadership role. 

• Proven track record of delivering successful data science solutions that drive measurable business outcomes in a fast-paced, complex environment. 

• Experience leading large-scale machine learning and AI initiatives, from ideation to deployment and monitoring. 

• Strong familiarity with retail, e-commerce, or supply chain domains (preferred). 

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