Data Scientist – Decision Support, Analytics and Automation

Company Description

Running with Sasquatch is more than just a clever marketing campaign. As a Jack Link’s team member, Running with Sasquatch means we roll up our buffalo plaid sleeves and do the hard work first. We don’t shy away from challenges. In fact, we push hard and take risks. True to our North Woods roots, we're a bunch of ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things by driving results with innovation, creativity and a clear sense of urgency. Like our awesome protein products, we have an unwavering passion for quality, and you won’t find anything artificial here. What you see is what you get…authentic, humble and fun people who Run with Sasquatch! 

Running with Sasquatch takes a team. We invite you to run with us, succeed with us, and celebrate with us. Most importantly, Feed Your Wild Side® with us on our journey to be the dominant global leader of branded protein snacks! 

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Still family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, and operates a total of 11 manufacturing and distribution facilities in four countries. Jack Link’s produces high-quality, great-tasting protein snacks that feed the wild sides of consumers around the world. Jack Link's Protein Snacks family of brands includes Jack Link's, LK, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Peperami. 

Job Description

Jack Link’s is building an end-to-end decision support capability that integrates forecasting, measurement, optimization, and scenario planning to power commercial decisions across sales, marketing, finance, and planning. In this hands-on role, you will design, build, and productionize machine learning, optimization, and agentic AI solutions—delivering accurate forecasts, trusted measurement, and practical “what-if” scenarios that drive growth, margin, and efficiency. You will also lead the development and orchestration of AI agents and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workflows to automate and augment commercial work. This is a hands-on ML engineering role with strong business partnership and technical leadership responsibilities, supported by a collaborative team of product owners, developers, data engineers, and architects. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, scale, and optimize forecasting and scenario planning capabilities to support strategic and operational decisions. 
• Evolve measurement programs focused on commercial investment evaluation, forecasting accuracy, and planning effectiveness—especially in trade optimization. 
• Evolve optimization analytics to improve resource allocation decisioning (e.g., trade spend, pricing, PPA, promo mix) 
• Design, develop, and deploy AI agents within the commercial data and analytics ecosystem to drive automation, productivity, and measurable business impact. 
• Implement MLOps and AIOps best practices using Azure Machine Learning, Azure DevOps, and Microsoft Fabric for model lifecycle management, CI/CD, and automated monitoring. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate advanced analytics into business workflows and ensure scalability and governance. 
• Continuously monitor and optimize models for accuracy, fairness, and compliance with enterprise standards. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field.
• 5 + years of full-time, professional experience in data science, analytics, or similar.  
• Demonstrates a deep interest and strong understanding of consumer behavior and decision-making, including behavioral economics principles, purchasing dynamics, and responses to marketing stimuli, to inform data-driven solutions and business applications 
• Possesses strong training in statistics and data science, enabling discernment in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the most appropriate methodological approaches for complex analytical and forecasting challenges. 
• Hands on experience working with enterprise, consumer, and market performance data.  
• Proficiency in Python for data science and automation. 
• Strong understanding of forecasting models, scenario planning, and optimization techniques.  
• Hands on experience with 2 or more scenario planning techniques: Monte Carlo Simulation, Digital Twin Modeling, Sensitivity Analysis, What-Ifs, and Optimization Algorithms. 
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, model monitoring, and governance frameworks. 
• Excellent communication skills to translate analytics into actionable insights.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Analytics, or quantitative related field. 
• Experience working in CPG, Retail and E-Comm, Media and Entertainment, Tech platform (Meta, TikTok etc.) or at a specialized commercial analytics/measurement firm. 
• Hands-on experience with Azure Machine Learning, Azure DevOps, and Microsoft Fabric. 
• Experience deploying AI agents or intelligent automation solutions in enterprise environments. 
• Experience with data engineering principles, including ETL, data quality, and integration. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI or other visualization tools for reporting and insights. 

Additional Information

The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $150,000 (Annually).  Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.