Senior Data Scientist

SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF DATA SCIENCE

STATUS: EXEMPT

 

Summary

Boot Barn is where community comes first. We thrive on togetherness, collaboration, and belonging. We build each other up, listen intently, and implement out-of-the-box ideas.  We celebrate new innovations, congratulate one another’s achievements, and most importantly support each other.

 

At Boot Barn, we work together to make a positive impact on the world around us, and by working collectively with encouragement, we consider ourselves “Partners.” With the values of the West guiding us, Boot Barn celebrates heritage, welcomes all, and values each unique Partner within our Boot Barn community.

 

Our vision is to offer everyone a piece of the American spirit – one handshake at a time. 

 

The Senior Data Scientist will play a critical role in building the foundation of Boot Barn’s AI and Data Science division, with a focus on developing advanced machine learning and generative AI solutions. This position will lead the design and deployment of models that power data driven solutions to support cross-departmental products, and intelligent agentic systems.

 

Working closely with AI/ML and Data Engineers, this individual will ensure models are robust, well-designed, and ready to scale, while contributing to the establishment of data science best practices across the organization.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy predictive and generative AI models to address high-impact applications such as personalization, forecasting, marketing automation, and conversational agents.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, statistical modeling, causal inference, and A/B experimentation to uncover insights and validate model performance.
• Develop high-quality, modular Python code for model training and experimentation using libraries and frameworks such as pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow.
• Collaborate with AI/ML Engineers to productionize models through containerization, orchestration, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with Data and AI/ML Engineers to establish RAG pipelines, vector databases, and agentic frameworks.
• Prototype and deploy generative AI applications such as content generation agents, knowledge assistants, and multimodal interfaces.
• Partner cross-functionally with Store Operations, Ecommerce, Marketing, Merchandise, Supply Chain and Real Estate to identify and prioritize high-impact AI opportunities.
• Contribute to data science best practices, model documentation, and the creation of reusable modeling frameworks.
• Translate complex model results into clear business insights for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance.
• Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management.
• Adhere to all local, federal and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by management.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 3-5+ years of hands-on data science experience; proven track record in developing and deploying ML and generative AI models.
• Strong expertise in SQL, Python and core ML frameworks (scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Experience with LLMs, vector databases, and RAG pipelines
• Familiarity with MLOps workflows, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes) tools.
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience working closely with engineering and product teams.
• Retail and/or e-commerce experience preferred.

Competencies

• Ensure Effective Communication - Listens carefully and attentively to others' opinions and ideas. Communicates information clearly, concisely, and professionally.
• Establish Trust - Follows through on commitments. Is honest and direct with others. Promotes a culture of r