Sr. Data Scientist - Pricing Algorithms

About The Team

The Pricing team is a community of analysts, data scientists, and systems experts with a variety of technical and strategic skillsets. We work together to continually improve CarMax’s ability to accurately and systematically value each individual car that we buy and sell. Last year, CarMax sold over 1 million vehicles and appraised over 2 million vehicles, and Pricing directed over $20B in spend to purchase inventory – all while remaining responsive to constantly changing consumer demand, wholesale auction supply, and other global/local market conditions.

Our team tackles complex problems while striving to be a great representation of CarMax’s 4 core values:

• Do the Right Thing: We prioritize maintaining the culture of integrity which has set CarMax apart in the used car industry, and promote a respectful and inclusive environment at work
• Put People First: We’re focused on nurturing associate development and on maintaining a healthy work culture, while also making sure our customers are offered a great experience
• Win Together: Teamwork is essential to what we do; we regularly learn from each other and draw on each other’s expertise and perspectives
• Go for Greatness: We continually improve our abilities and the products that we support, to build up CarMax’s position as an industry leader

About the Role

CarMax relies on algorithms to make important decisions about which cars to buy, how to price them, and how to allocate them across our 200+ stores. Doing so ensures that we have the right cars at the right prices to meet our customers’ needs. As we continue to innovate our business and shift more of our buying and selling online, we increasingly need to make these decisions quickly with less human intervention. Our team of data scientists and business analysts plays a critical role in unlocking the business value from these innovations.

As an algorithms expert, you will build and support predictive models. Through collaboration and partnership with analysts and systems experts, you will play a key role in ensuring the models are deployed effectively to support our business goals.

What You Will Do – Essential Responsibilities:

1) Develop new models and improve our existing models

• Interpret, validate, and apply feature engineering to large and complex pricing-related data sets
• Find creative ways to incorporate new insights and data sources
• Leverage statistical / machine learning techniques and sound reasoning to develop, validate, and improve predictive models
• Design controlled experiments to assess the business value of new models
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leaders to drive change

2) Help CarMax continue to develop its data expertise

• Research innovations and best practices related to data sources, modeling methodologies, and data science tools
• Influence the team in the development of our modeling capability strategic roadmap

3) Effectively communicate how our models work to team members, both at a general level and a detailed level

Qualifications and Requirements:

If you’re energized by putting your math, logic, and analytical reasoning skills to the test to solve complex problems then we encourage you to apply to join our team. We frequently offer a variety of roles and recommend checking out all available Pricing positions to find the best fit for your abilities and interests.

For a candidate for this role, we’re looking for the following characteristics:

Target mindset: Curious, skeptical, creative, committed to learning and staying informed on the latest techniques in data science, with a strong attention to detail and commitment to sound reasoning

Required experience:

• Either a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative discipline OR equivalent experience and training through past employment
• At least 2 years relevant work experience (Advanced study in a quantitative field may substitute for work experience), including experience applying strong foundational math and/or modeling skills to solve complex problems

Ideal candidates would have experience with these behaviors:

• Extracting and sharing clear insights from modelling
• Project management, ideally including end-to-end experience with the machine learning deployment pipeline
• Relationship building and collaboration

Preferred skills, certifications, or knowledge areas:

• Expertise in selecting and applying various modeling techniques (supervised & unsupervised, classification & regression, etc.),
• Python/SQL programming
• Data cleaning and pre-processing
• Statistical and probabilistic analysis

Work Location and Arrangement 

This role will be based out of the CarMax Technology Innovation Center (Richmond, VA) and associates will work onsite 4 days per week. 

Work Authorization:  Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.  Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.

About CarMax

CarMax disrupted the auto industry by delivering the honest, transparent and high-integrity experience customers want and deserve. This innovative thinking around the way cars are bought and sold has helped us become the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, with over 200 locations nationwide.

Our amazing team of more than 25,000 associates work together to deliver iconic customer experiences. Along the way, we help every associate grow their career and achieve their best, at work and in their community.  We are recognized for our commitment to training and diversity and are one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®.

CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.