Director Operations Research at Target

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Target Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Retail, Supply Chain, LogisticsIndustries

Requirements

  • Proactive, curious, creative, and comfortable operating in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment
  • Critical thinker who uncovers problems early and simplifies complexity
  • Expertise in statistics, stochastic modelling, simulation, mixed-integer programming, machine learning, experimentation design, data engineering, and large-scale visualization
  • Passion for deep analytical and algorithmic work while staying connected to core business teams
  • Articulate ability to distill and communicate complex quantitative insights into simple, compelling business narratives and financial impacts for multiple audiences, including senior leadership
  • Sophisticated understanding of Target’s end-to-end retail supply chain, including demand planning, forecasting, vendor performance, inbound logistics, outbound flow, store replenishment, digital fulfillment, and returns
  • Ability to build hypotheses, proofs of concept, conduct rigorous experimentation, build trust, influence, and partner with product, engineering, and business teams to shape 2–3-year process and capability roadmaps

Responsibilities

  • Use data-driven insights, advanced analytics, and competitive intelligence to identify high-value opportunities aligned with Target’s multi-year strategic vision
  • Lead and scale a high-performing team of 6–8 Operations Researchers to uncover systemic inefficiencies and propose solutions that strengthen supply chain resilience, operational efficiency, and guest experience
  • Define long-term goals for the enterprise, design inventory optimization strategies, and leverage technology to enable guest delight and business performance (e.g., optimizing assortment decisions, inventory purchasing & positioning, transportation operating models, or inventory flow within distribution centres)
  • Build, coach, and mentor a team of highly motivated and independent operations researchers, fostering a culture of trust, performance, candour, and efficiency
  • Provide insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback to all team roles to elevate collective performance
  • Work with senior leadership and peers to negotiate and remove execution-related barriers
  • Partner closely with Planning & Inventory Management, Transportation, Product, Technology, and Data Science teams globally

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Operations ResearchSupply Chain OptimizationInventory OptimizationNetwork OptimizationAssortment OptimizationTransportation OptimizationData ScienceAlgorithmic ModelingTeam Leadership

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What team will the Director of Operations Research lead?

The role involves leading a team of 6–8 Operations Researchers.

Where is this position based?

The role reports to the Senior Director based in Target India HQ (Bangalore), suggesting it is located there.

What key skills are required for the Operations Research Director role?

Expertise in statistics, stochastic modelling, simulation, mixed-integer programming, machine learning, experimentation design, data engineering, and large-scale visualization is required, along with the ability to communicate complex insights simply.

What is the salary for this Director Operations Research position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What qualities make a strong candidate for this role at Target?

Target seeks proactive, curious, creative leaders who are critical thinkers, simplify complexity, and thrive in VUCA environments, with strong analytical skills and the ability to influence teams and communicate insights to senior leadership.

Target

Retailer offering diverse consumer goods

About Target

Target Corporation is a retail company that offers a wide range of products, including clothing, electronics, home goods, and groceries, through nearly 2,000 stores and an online platform. Its "Design For All" philosophy allows it to provide high-quality, affordable products that cater to diverse customer needs. Target differentiates itself from competitors with its owned brands and the Target Circle loyalty program, which enhances customer engagement. The company's goal is to support sustainability and community initiatives by giving back 5% of its profits to local communities.

Minneapolis, MinnesotaHeadquarters
2005Year Founded
N/ACompany Stage
Consumer GoodsIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts

Risks

Increased competition from online-only retailers like Amazon threatens Target's market share.
Rising labor costs due to new minimum wage laws could impact profit margins.
Supply chain vulnerabilities from geopolitical tensions may affect inventory and pricing strategies.

Differentiation

Target's 'Design For All' philosophy offers unique, high-quality products at affordable prices.
The Target Circle loyalty program enhances customer engagement and shopping experience.
Target's commitment to sustainability and community support sets it apart from competitors.

Upsides

Experiential retail and 'retailtainment' strategies can boost customer engagement and foot traffic.
Augmented reality integration offers immersive shopping experiences showcasing Target's unique designs.
Omnichannel retail strategies enhance customer experience by integrating online and offline shopping.

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