Data Science Manager

Role Overview

Data Science Manager at Majid Al Futtaim, MAF LifeStyle division. The role is based across a multi-brand, multi-market retail portfolio spanning UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Role Purpose

This role is the primary owner of demand forecasting, demand sensing, demand planning, and advanced customer segmentation capabilities, driving measurable commercial impact across the retail portfolio. The role partners closely with brand owners, buying and planning teams to translate data science into commercial strategy and execution.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Forecasting & Sensing

• Own end-to-end demand forecasting across SKU, category, and brand levels covering short, medium, and long-term horizons.
• Incorporate seasonality, promotions, sell-through, and external market factors across GCC markets into forecasting models.
• Lead demand sensing initiatives using real-time POS, digital, and macro signals to anticipate near-term demand shifts.
• Enable rapid commercial decisions based on demand sensing insights.

Commercial Planning & Strategy

• Partner with Buying & Planning teams to translate forecasts into OTB, replenishment, markdown optimisation, and NPI strategies.
• Present forecasts and recommendations in clear commercial language tailored to business stakeholders.

Customer Segmentation & Analytics

• Design advanced customer segmentation models including RFM, CLV, behavioural, and propensity models.
• Enable personalised marketing, CRM, and loyalty activation through segmentation insights.

AI & Use Case Development

• Identify and prioritise high-impact AI use cases across pricing, assortment, promotions, churn, store clustering, and next-best-action.
• Quantify business value for all identified use cases.

Computer Vision Initiatives

• Drive adoption of Computer Vision solutions including footfall analytics, shelf compliance, planogram adherence, visual search, and automated product tagging.

Natural Language Processing & Conversational AI

• Lead NLP and conversational AI initiatives such as chatbots, sentiment analysis, and multilingual (Arabic/English) text analytics.
• Oversee automated product content generation.

Production & Scalability

• Build and scale production-grade ML solutions on Azure and Microsoft Fabric.
• Establish automated pipelines, monitoring, drift detection, and executive reporting via Power BI.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
• Advanced degree in related topics is a strong plus.
• Background or previous experience in retail, fashion, or lifestyle industry is strongly preferred.
• Experience in GCC/MENA markets is an advantage.
• Strong customer segmentation and CLV modeling experience.