At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:   

Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.   Develop lasting relationships with great people.   Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

​​Director of Data Science, AI/ML & Optimization​​

The Director of Data Sciences – AI/ML & Optimization will lead the development and deployment of advanced analytics solutions that integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and optimization into Niagara’s core business processes. This role is responsible for building scalable, ethical, and high-impact data science capabilities—including generative AI, classical ML, and predictive/prescriptive modeling—that drive measurable business value. The Director will also champion responsible AI practices and advanced optimization techniques to enhance decision-making across the enterprise. 

 

As part of the newly formed Data and Decision Intelligence (DDI) team, this role plays a critical part in Niagara’s transformation toward a centralized, insight-driven organization. The DDI team unifies the former Business Intelligence and Data Science functions to deliver trusted insights through intelligent automation, focused expertise, and advanced analytics. By aligning closely with business needs, DDI empowers smarter, faster, and more scalable decision-making across all functions. 

 

The DDI organization is built on a value-first, decision-back strategy—starting with the business question and working backward to deliver actionable insights. This approach moves beyond traditional reporting and modeling, embedding analytics directly into business workflows. The team operates with agility, using design thinking and flexible frameworks to rapidly deliver solutions that are both impactful and user centric. 

 

Structured around three strategic pillars—Analytics Product Management & Insights, Data Science, and Connected Data Foundation & Intelligent Automation—DDI enables Niagara to break down silos and scale analytics capabilities horizontally across the enterprise. This integrated model ensures that data is not only accessible and reliable but also actively drives business outcomes through automation, optimization, and innovation. 

 

Essential Functions 

 

Collaborate with full-stack product team & business partners to develop novel ways to meet business objectives utilizing cutting edge technology, models/algorithms and techniques  

Effectively communicate the analytics approach and how it will meet and address objectives to business partners 

Advocate and educate on the value of data driven decision making focusing on the “how and why” of solving problems  

Help the organization accelerate the journey to predictive and prescriptive analytics - focused on business decisions  

Lead analytic approaches, integrating work into applications and tools with data engineers, business leads, analysts and developers 

Create repeatable, interpretable, dynamic and scalable models that are seamlessly incorporated into analytic products 

Engineer features by using business acumen to find new ways to combine disparate internal and external data sources 

Educate & share passion for Data Science with broader enterprise community; identify and develop long-term processes, frameworks, tools, methods and standards 

Collaborate, coach, and learn with a growing team of Data Scientists 

Stay connected with external sources of ideas through conferences and community engagements 

AI governance, responsible AI / ethical AI, and scaling data science best practices across the organization 

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:10+ Years  – Experience in Technology Consulting or Data Analytics10+ Years  – Experience in or supporting Operations/Strategy10+ Years  – Experience managing people and projects

              *experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Preferred Qualifications:15+ Years– Experience in Technology Consulting or Data Analytics15+ Years – Experience in or supporting Operations/Strategy15+ Years – Experience managing people and projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies 

Must have Python or R proficiency and experience working with Snowflake 

Statistics, Modeling, algorithms expert, with  proficiency in classical AI Machine Learning (ML), and GenAI to solve clustering, time series, classification, regression, anomaly detection, simulation and optimization problems on large scale data sets 

Experience with designing data warehouses and/or data lakes with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark or distributed databases like Redshift and Snowflake. 

Experience with Big Data technologies desired — Hadoop, containerization, etc. 

Experience with containerization and managing pipelines and microservices, e.g., Docker, Kubernetes 

Experience with data visualization tools preferred — PowerBI, Alteryx, etc.  

Strong understanding of agile methodologies 

Experience as a Data Scientist on a cross-functional agile team preferred 

Strong communication skills with ability to communicate complex technical concepts and align organization on decisions 

Sound problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly process complex information and present it clearly and simply 

Utilizes team collaboration to create innovative solutions efficiently 

Value focused, Agile delivery with think-big, fail-fast mindset, and measurable outcomes 

Passionate about technology, responsible AI and excited about the impact of emerging / disruptive technologies 

Wants to unleash inner self-starter and work in an environment that fosters entrepreneurial minds  

Believes in culture of brutal transparency and trust and open to learning new ideas outside scope or knowledge 

 

This position embodies the values of Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success: 

Lead Like an Owner 

Provides strategic input and oversight to departmental projects 

Skilled in reducing costs and managing timelines while prioritizing long run impact 

Leads/facilitates discussions to get positive outcomes for the customer 

Makes strategic and sustainable data driven decisions which prioritize the needs of the customer over departmental/individual goals 

InnovACT 

Continuously evaluates existing programs and processes, and develops new initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste 

Creates, monitors, and responds to departmental performance metrics to drive continuous improvement 

Communicates a clear vision, organizes resources effectively, and adjusts the strategy as needed when managing change 

Find a Way 

Demonstrates ability to think analytically and synthesize complex information 

Effectively delegates technical tasks to subordinates 

Works effectively with depts, vendors, and customers to achieve organizational success 

Identifies opportunities for collaboration in strategic ways 

Empowered to be Great 

Engages in long term talent planning 

Provides opportunities for the development of all direct reports 

Understands, identifies, and addresses conflict within own team and between teams 

 

Education 

Minimum Required:   

Bachelors or Master's Degree in Supply Chain/Information Technology/Statistics/Computer Science/Data Science or other related field 

Preferred:   

Ph.D in Supply Chain/Information Technology/Statistics/Computer Science/Data Science or other related field 

 

Certification/License:  

Required: N/A 

Preferred: ASCM CPIM/CSCP, PMP PMI 

 

Foreign Language  

Required: None Required  

Preferred:  None Required 

 

Typical Compensation Range

Pay Rate Type: Salary

$195,652.77 - $273,913.88 / Yearly

Bonus Target: 20% Annual

Benefits

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.

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