Principal Data Scientist

At Fanatics, we are passionate about leveraging data to drive growth and operational efficiencies. We firmly believe in putting data at the forefront of delivering an engaging experience for our sports fans! Our Principal Data Scientists work closely with engineering teams, PMs, and cross-functional business units to address challenging problems using techniques from applied statistics, AI/machine learning and/or data mining fields.

What You'll Be Doing:

• In this position, you will collaborate and lead a team of ML scientists and engineers to spearhead the development of the next-generation search relevance and ranking solution.
• Your primary focus will be enabling fans to discover products from the expanding array of products across thousands of e-commerce websites.
• Showcase your contemporary expertise in Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and Deep Learning by applying it to the enhancement of algorithms driving Search, Browse, Autocomplete, and Recommendations experiences on Fanatics.
• As a Thought leader and Visionary, leverage your strong technical skills, leadership capabilities, effective communication, and adaptability to stay abreast of cutting-edge research in AI and Machine Learning.
• Take charge of building, deploying, and maintaining predictive models in areas such as Search Relevance, Query Understanding and Ranking, Learning-to-Rank, Personalization, Product Sale Forecasting, and Product recommendation systems for both online and offline platforms.
• Assume the role of a mentor and leader for a small team of accomplished scientists, guiding them in delivering complex models, deep analytical projects, and addressing business problems.
• Manage multiple projects independently with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for success.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with diverse teams, including marketing operations, technology, merchandising, procurement, and apparel design/production, to align data-driven solutions with business objectives.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and business teams to comprehend business problems and devise data-driven and ML-based solutions, particularly focusing on improving Search ranking while addressing challenges like cold start and discoverability within the rapidly growing product assortment.
• Effectively communicate analytical solutions to non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.

What We're Looking For:

• Prior experience in search, information retrieval, knowledge graphs, recommendations, and personalization is a must, with a preference for candidates who have worked in an e-commerce environment.
• Your expertise should encompass both traditional and modern machine learning/statistical techniques, spanning Regression, Classification, Ensemble Methods, Deep Learning, and Reinforcement Learning.
• The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of 10 years of industry experience (excluding internships, co-op, or academic projects) in developing multiple AI, Machine Learning, and Statistical Models and products to address real-world business challenges.
• Strong algorithmic thinking and a dedication to empirical research, especially in tackling challenging questions, are essential.
• Effective communication skills are crucial, enabling you to convey complex quantitative analyses, analytic methodologies, and findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner.
• Experience in designing and evaluating A|B experiments, along with monitoring key product metrics and understanding the underlying reasons for metric changes, is expected.
• Candidates with a BS/MS/Ph.D. degree in Statistics, Applied Math, Operational Research, Computer Science, or a related field will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated proficiency in leading and managing multiple projects, delivering timely results, and excelling in project management aspects such as planning, resource allocation, and execution is essential.
• Exceptional leadership skills, a sense of ownership for outcomes, and the ability to build effective work relationships in cross-functional areas are highly valued.

Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).