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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Data Science Manager, Forecasting & Optimization - **Company:** New Balance Athletics, Inc. - **Location:** Boston, MA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $138,500.0 - $173,000.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Big Data, Code Review, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Operational Databases, Standard Sql, Google Cloud, Snowflake, Model Validation, Information Technology, Optimization Algorithms, Production Code, Machine Learning Operations, Databricks - **Published:** September 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/apply/add/88449610/1 ## About the Role * 6+ years of experience in data science, forecasting, optimization, operations research, or a related field, including hands-on model development and deployment. * 2+ years leading projects and/or guiding cross-functional delivery while remaining hands-on with technical work. * 2+ years leading data scientists * Deep expertise with forecasting models and optimization techniques across areas such as demand planning, inventory optimization, simulation, or decision science, ideally in a retail environment. * Strong Python and SQL skills with experience building scalable, production-quality modeling workflows using large datasets. * Ability to partner with senior stakeholders, define roadmaps, influence priorities, communicate clearly, and drive adoption of analytical or AI-enabled solutions. * Strong understanding of model evaluation, monitoring, retraining, governance, documentation, and lifecycle management. * BA/BS in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD preferred. * Practical data science experience in retail, consumer products, or supply chain is preferred. * Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Azure, AWS, GCP or similar cloud platforms is preferred. * Experience building production data science products, APIs, dashboards, optimization engines, or decision-support tools. * Familiarity with Agile delivery, product ownership, roadmap planning, and measurable adoption strategies. ## Description As the Data Science Manager, Forecasting & Optimization, you will lead New Balance's planning-focused data science group and own high-value forecasting and optimization work that improves global planning, inventory, and supply chain decisions. This is a hands-on player/coach role where you will write production-quality code, develop and deploy models, lead and develop data scientists and contractors, partner with stakeholders, and ensure solutions are adopted, monitored, and improved., A successful candidate in this role will focus on three core areas: Technical Excellence * Develop, deploy, and improve forecasting and optimization models for demand planning, allocation, assortment, inventory, and related planning decisions. * Write, review, and maintain high-quality Python and SQL code that can scale from experimentation into reliable production workflows. * Connect model performance metrics such as accuracy, bias, stability, and service levels to business outcomes including sales, inventory productivity, margin, and efficiency. Business Partnership & Product Delivery * Partner with stakeholders to define priorities, align roadmaps, and translate business needs into scalable data science products. * Document model logic, business rules, assumptions, and operating practices so solutions can scale and be supported over time. * Work with ML engineering and MLOps partners to make models production-ready, monitored, explainable, and maintainable. Team & Operational Leadership * Manage and coach a small team (1-3) of data scientists while staying hands-on in model development, code reviews, technical design, and production delivery. * Create repeatable standards for experimentation, validation, governance, documentation, stakeholder communication, and adoption measurement. * Build a culture of technical excellence, pragmatic problem-solving, collaboration and stakeholder empathy, and continuous learning. ## Related Videos - [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Cutting LLM Costs Without Cutting Quality: How to Beat Proprietary LLMs with Fine-Tuned Open Source](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100151-cutting-llm-costs-without-cutting-quality-how-to-beat-proprietary-llms-with-fine-tuned-open-source) - [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data) - [Hacking AI at the Edge of the Indian Ocean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100177-hacking-ai-at-the-edge-of-the-indian-ocean) ## Related Articles - [MLops – Deploying, Maintaining And Evolving Machine Learning Models in Production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/115-mlops-deploying-maintaining-and-evolving-machine-learning-models-in-production) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [MLOps – What’s the deal behind it?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/125-mlops-what-s-the-deal-behind-it) - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story)