Senior Manager, Data Science – Pricing Algorithms

The primary responsibility for the Pricing team is 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. To properly value these vehicles, our data scientists must develop algorithms that best reflect customer preferences for each vehicle’s unique characteristics and that effectively respond to constantly changing consumer demand, wholesale auction supply, and other global/local market conditions.

What You Will Do – Essential Responsibilities

Develop optimal pricing strategies that meet both short and long term business objectives

• Leverage exceptional business knowledge, creativity, vision and analytic skills in order to lead the development of optimal pricing strategies

• Develop right optimization strategy given CarMax’s unique business model of selling a non-commodity product at a no-haggle price.

• Leverage strong analytic communication skills to gain broad buy-in to pricing strategies and goals at all levels of the organization

• Continuously improve our pricing strategy by delivering $10-25MM/yr of incremental value

Build a highly engaged team of 4-7 Data Scientists with the skills to implement our pricing strategies across hundreds of thousands of vehicles each year

• Create a rewarding and challenging environment designed to teach uniquely gifted analytic professionals how to become effective, value adding data scientists

• Leverage strong functional expertise in a quickly evolving field to ensure that team members have the right technology to meet today’s business needs.

• Set specific, actionable short and mid-term goals for each team member

• Challenge, develop & recognize team members when they achieve their goals

Lead the building of Artificial Intelligence to autonomously price every vehicle in an optimal way

• Leverage strong mathematics, statistics and technology skills (machine learning, Python, etc.) in order to lead the development of sophisticated pricing models that autonomously implement our strategies

• Leverage strong computer science and software engineering skills in order to build software that (a) Calculates the optimal value for each vehicle and (b) Delivers that value to field associates in seconds

• Lead cross functional efforts to implement new models with IT and the field

• Apply exceptional experiment test and design skills in order to measure the business impact of different pricing changes

Develop and execute a management system that ensures the right value is put on every vehicle every day

• Ensure that the model is tuned to current market conditions by identifying times when immediate strategy changes are needed (ex: gas prices spiking)

• Build and execute a management system to ensure that the model is delivering intended values (alert system, regular review meetings…)

• Quickly respond to and resolve pricing system issues regardless of time of day/week

Purpose of 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 plays a critical role in unlocking the business value from these innovations.

Qualifications and Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Undergraduate degree with exceptional academic performance in quantitative discipline (Statistics, Math, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering). Advanced Degree (Master’s/Ph.D.) is a plus.

• Mathematical, modeling, and reasoning skills in order to build complex pricing models

• 4+ years experience in strategy, analytics and/or data science

• Proven ability to deliver business value by leveraging deep analytic skills in order to solve complex business problems

• Computer programming skills in order to turn the mathematical model into Artificial Intelligence

• Leadership skills necessary to build a highly engaged team and to work cross functionally to implement new pricing strategies

• Exceptional verbal, written, and listening skills necessary to (a) effectively manage their team, (b) listen and understand conflicting points of view on complex matters, (c) navigate through potential contentious situations that periodically occur in a change process, and (d) communicate complex ideas.

• Experience managing highly analytical projects and people. 

Work Location and Arrangement: This role will be based out of the Richmond, VA Office and has a Hybrid work arrangement.

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®.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

CarMax is committed to bringing together people from different backgrounds and perspectives, providing employees with a safe, welcoming, and inclusive work environment.

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