Zoro.com is a leading eCommerce platform offering nearly 15 million tools, parts and supplies for our business customers. Launched in 2011, we brought a B2C-like experience to the B2B industry, and continue to be at the forefront of digital innovation at the intersection of technology and distribution. We have rapidly grown to over $1 billion in annual revenue and 650 team members -- and we’re just getting started!
Job Summary:
The Lead Data Scientist serves as a key technical leader within our data science team, focusing on customer-facing search and recommendation products and the content enrichment that powers them. This role combines model development, team mentorship, and collaboration with business partners. Staying current with advancements in ML and AI techniques, you’ll apply them to address Zoro’s unique business challenges.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- You serve as a technical expert, applying advanced data science methodologies to address business needs.
- You take ownership of developing and implementing new data science models within your area of responsibility, ensuring robust, effective approaches are used.
- You assess and manage risks associated with production models, making informed recommendations on model retraining, versioning, and improvements.
- You provide guidance and mentorship to team members, supporting their successful project completion.
- You advocate for and encourage the adoption of team conventions and industry best practices to maintain high standards.
- You collaborate with business partners to scope, prioritize, and initiate data science projects.
- You collaborate with other technologists to design effective solutions.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or Engineering); an advanced degree is preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in data science or a closely related discipline.
- Proficiency in writing production-level Python code, developing algorithms, and deploying data science models.
- Deep expertise in statistical methods and machine learning concepts, with the ability to mentor team members on methodologies, model tuning, and evaluation techniques.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience building and maintaining models for real-time applications
- Background in e-commerce, with familiarity in website metrics, search and recommendation systems, customer purchasing behavior, and marketing strategies
- Proven ability to collaborate with business partners, establish trust, manage timelines, and provide insightful recommendations
Total Rewards
Zoro’s total compensation plan includes our Zoro Incentive Plan (ZIP) that is designed to foster and reward our team members for strong performance. Total compensation will be highly competitive.
In addition to competitive compensation, Zoro offers comprehensive benefits and perks including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
- Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents. We also support growing your family through access to adoption assistance program
- 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist and Wellhub portal membership to support your mental and emotional wellbeing
- At least 18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees and 6 company holidays per year
- 6% company contribution to a 401K Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
- Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and access to financial counseling, education, and tools
- Charitable Gift Program - match gift to an eligible educational, cultural, community health, and human service organizations
- Employee discounts and admission to various civic and cultural institutions around Chicago
- Zoro office perks including coffee bar, beer on tap, unlimited snacks, access to the onsite gym, and incredible city skyline views
For additional information and details regarding our benefits and our parent company, W. W. Grainger, please click on the link here.
Illinois
$113,100—$188,500 USD
Zoro was founded in 2011 with a simple idea: make it easy for businesses to get the tools, parts, and supplies they need to keep things running. We've grown by staying curious, moving quickly, and solving everyday challenges in smart, practical ways. Backed by W.W. Grainger and inspired by our endless assortment business model, we’re on a clear path toward our next big milestone: $2 billion in revenue—and beyond.
At Zoro, we don’t just follow a playbook—we help build it. You’ll get to work on real problems with a supportive team that shares ideas freely, learns from each other, and celebrates wins together. Our culture is grounded in values that guide how we show up every day: Winning & Learning Together, Being Customer Obsessed, Being Transparent, and Taking Ownership. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re always asking good questions.
Zoro’s culture has been recognized by Fortune, Best Places to Work, and Built In Chicago—but the recognition we care about most comes from our team members, who make this place what it is.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and included. We value different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences—and believe that we’re stronger when everyone feels like they belong.
We also know that flexibility matters. Our hybrid work model gives you space to focus and the flexibility to live your life — asking team members to be onsite at least two days a week. Our Chicago HQ (right above Ogilvie Transportation Center in the Accenture Tower) is always open and ready for connection, collaboration, or just a good cup of coffee.
At Zoro, we’re growing fast toward big aspirations — and we’re continuously excited about the new challenges we get to solve together.
Top Skills
Zoro Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
Our headquarters are conveniently located in Downtown Chicago, above the Ogilvie Transportation Center. Zoro employees can choose to work on-site, remotely or hybrid to experience the best of both worlds!
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