Product Owner, Data Science

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Data Science Center of Excellence is focused on enabling data-informed decision-making across New Balance by developing models and tools that make a measurable impact on business outcomes. As the Product Owner for Data Science, you will be the bridge between business strategy and advanced analytics. You'll partner with data scientists, engineers, and key stakeholders to align priorities, shape a cross-functional roadmap, and ensure our models translate into measurable business impact. This role requires a rare combination of business acumen, technical fluency, and storytelling ability along with the ability to thrive in ambiguity to help guide efforts from exploration to production with clarity and focus. You'll shape how advanced analytics powers one of the most iconic brands in the world and work alongside world-class data scientists and leaders who value curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Translate functional goals (e.g., growth, margin improvement, operational efficiency) into clear data science priorities.
• Maintain a cross-functional roadmap aligned with strategies across business and technical departments.
• Partner with leadership to define and track success metrics tied to business outcomes, not just technical performance.
• Own the data science backlog to prioritize data science efforts based on impact, effort, and strategic alignment.
• Manage an agile data science planning process focusing on outcome-driven iterative development.
• Write clear, outcome-oriented user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure visibility of progress, blockers, and learnings across business and technical stakeholders.
• Act as a key liaison between the Data Science team and business functions.
• Translate complex analytical work into simple, actionable business narratives.
• Collaborate with data scientists to facilitate stakeholder demos and reviews that drive adoption and build trust.
• Identify key technical and business focused KPIs for data science efforts to ensure models are aligned with business outcomes.
• Promote a culture of rigorous experimentation and true data-driven decision making.
• Coordinate efforts to track model adoption and impact post-deployment.

REQUIRMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• 5+ years of experience in product management, analytics, or data science.
• Experience with Agile processes and project management software (Jira, ADO, etc.)
• Strong understanding of data science lifecycles: from data ingestion and feature engineering to modeling and deployment.
• Proven ability to define and measure business impact of analytical work.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with demonstrated skills presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfort with ambiguity and hypothesis-driven experimentation.
• Preferred:
• Experience in retail, consumer goods, or supply chain analytics.
• Familiarity with data tools (Snowflake, Databricks, Azure, R/Python/SQL).
• Exposure to MLOps, model monitoring, or experimentation platforms.
• Background in statistics, applied math, or computer science is a plus

Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB) Only Pay Range: $97,185.00 - $125,400.00 - $153,615.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword - it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.

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