Role Profile: Data Scientist III (LOA 3S)
Job Title: Lead Data Scientist
Position Title: Data Scientist III
Role Purpose
The purpose of the Lead Data Scientist (or Data Scientist III) role is to lead the delivery and
execution of complex data solutions and products that delivers business value while driving data
as a competitive advantage for Shoprite. The role oversees a portfolio of data science projects,
providing technical expertise and guidance in solving a variety of use cases across the business
and for its customers. The Lead Data Scientist also plays role of coach and mentor to other data
scientists, enabling the function to grow the capability while creating a high performing team. The Lead
Data Scientist is a conceptual and critical thinker with a depth of expertise to infer meaning from
complex data and translate these in a concise and cohesive story that enables innovation and
accelerates the application of best practices in a big data environment.
Role Description
• Contribute towards the development of Shoprite IT’s data strategy to deliver best-in-class analytics
across the organisation.
• Work with business stakeholders to identify business requirements and model and frame business
scenarios that are meaningful and which impact on critical business processes and/or decisions.
• Work closely with data and software teams to shape and enable deployment of fit-for-purpose,
robust solutions that will scale across the company’s ecosystem.
• Develop, plan and prioritise data projects and delegate assigned roles and responsibilities for
execution, weighing business and technical trade-offs as required.
• Lead the development of analytics-focused products, using machine learning, natural language
processing, and mathematical / statistical techniques to develop powerful sciences that delivers
business value and impact.
• Work with the data scientist team to define models to be created and implemented together with
the approach for implementing them and monitor for accuracy, integrity and robustness.
• Support in defining data quality expectations and provide ongoing tracking and monitoring of
performance of data systems and models.
• Perform sophisticated data preparation in order to reduce and shape data.
• Apply comprehensive set of predictive and descriptive modelling techniques to the data
appropriate to achieving the business objectives which includes decision trees and association rules.
• Identify and manage data development challenges, offer suggestions, and deploy appropriate
solutions.
• Communicate and present analytical findings, results and reports to senior stakeholders, using data
visualisation techniques to tell compelling stories, while tying progress to enterprise goals.
• Evaluate new and emerging technologies from which to develop prototypes and proof of concepts.
• Act as a domain expert, sharing best practices and knowledge with data scientists, analysts and
cross-functional partners.
• Provide support to data scientists on complex problems, integration of findings or presentation of
results, requiring high-level expertise.
• Act in a technical leadership capacity, coaching and mentoring data scientists and new team
members and supporting their growth and professional development.
• Stay updated on the latest research and developments in Data Science and adjacent fields to ensure
the latest technology, techniques and methods are always applied.
Qualifications and experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Information
Technology, Information Systems or a related field – (essential).
• Post Graduate Degree (preferably Masters) in the above or related fields – (highly desired).
• +5 years’ experience in a Data Scientist or similar role, solving complex business and technology
problems through applying data science techniques within a fast-paced environment – (essential).
• Extensive experience applying machine learning, deep learning, data mining, modelling and
mathematical and/or statistical concepts and methodology to support strategic business objectives
– (essential).
• Expertise in SQL, Python and data science toolkits – (essential).
• Experience leading and developing others whilst taking ownership for specific project outcomes –
(essential).
• Experience delivering project outcomes using design thinking, lean and agile principles –
(essential).
• Strong proficiency in MS Office 365 with advanced Excel skills – (essential).
• Experience in a retail, commercial or IT environment – (highly desired).
Key competencies and work ethic
• A data expert with the skill of practicing the art of Data Science. Cracks highly complex data
problems to answer business questions using their expertise in scientific disciplines.
• Critical thinker with excellent numeracy skills – Able to collect, organise and assimilate disparate,
multiple and complex pieces of data to draw sound conclusions and arrive at optimal solutions.
Demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system.
• Strong technical aptitude with a passion and excitement for data, new technologies and
solutions and its range of possibilities, applications and value for the business.
• High level of self-motivation and drive to meet and exceed on goals and expectations and engage
and energise others to deliver on expectations. Comfortable taking decisions and dealing with a
range of problem-solving challenges independently.
• Leadership skills - Natural leader with the ability to easily establish trust-based relationships.
Coaches and mentors others to deliver end-to-end business solutions in a collaborative and
professional manner.
• Detailed, organised and quality focused – Has an affinity for detail, structure and efficiency,
balancing planning and execution. Is diligent and vigilantly watches over work processes, tasks and
outputs to ensure accuracy while independently actioning and correcting any quality concerns.
• Strong communicator and presenter – Inspires commitment. Can confidently explain and simply
complex technical concepts and their real-world advantages/disadvantages to a diverse business
audience. Able to compile visual reports that tells a concise and compelling story.
• Collaborative partner - Works effectively across functions and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Is collaborative and able to build sound, professional relationships with internal and external
stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and under tight time constraints, efficiently prioritising workloads,
balancing multiple and competing priorities and managing time effectively in a high-volume,
fast-moving environment. Enjoys challenging work and has the proven ability to effectively adapt
to and manage change.
• Is curious and adaptable, finds agile and rapid ways of answering business questions and
implementing solutions fast. Plays an integral role in building Shoprite’s data science muscle,
constantly finding ways to leverage opportunities
