Advanced Data Engineer - Assortment Analytics Tech Lead

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Advanced Data Engineer - Assortment Analytics Tech Lead will lead our assortment data platform strategy for merchandising analytics using Databricks, Unity Catalog & AI/ML. You'll architect and build solutions that directly impact key assortment planning and execution in merchandizing.

• Build world-class analytics capabilities with Databricks/PowerBI
• Implement AI-driven assortment optimization & demand forecasting
• Design data governance for self-service merchandising analytics
• Develop agentic AI workflows for automated insights & recommendations
• Lead a team of data engineers, PowerBI developers and analysts

Accountable for leading activities that create deliverables to guide the direction, development, and delivery of technological responses to targeted business outcomes. Provide facilitation, analysis and design tasks required for the development of an enterprise's data and information architecture, focusing on data as an asset for the enterprise. Develop reusable standards, design patterns, guidelines, and configurations to evolve the technical infrastructure related to data and information across the enterprise, including direct collaboration with 84.51. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Participate in the development and communication of data strategy and roadmaps across the technology organization to support project portfolio and business strategy
- Participate in, and drive, the development and communication of enterprise standards for data domains and data solutions, focusing on simplified integration and streamlined operational and analytical uses
- Provide technical leadership to ensure clarity between ongoing projects, including direct collaboration with 84.51
- Drive digital innovation by leveraging innovative new technologies and approaches to renovate, extend, and transform the existing core data assets, including SQL-based, NoSQL-based, and Cloud-based data platforms
- Define high-level migration plans to address the gaps between the current and future state
- Present opportunities with cost/benefit analysis to leadership to shape sound architectural decisions
- Lead the analysis of the technology environment to detect critical deficiencies and recommend solutions for improvement
- Mentor team members in data principles, patterns, processes and practices
- Promote the reuse of data assets, including the management of the data catalog for reference
- Draft and review architectural diagrams, interface specifications and other design documents
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum
- Bachelor's Degree computer science, or software engineering, or related field
- Any experience defining evolutionary data solutions and underlying technologies
- 7+ years successful and applicable experience taking a lead role in building complex data solutions that have been successfully delivered to customers

- 7+ years proven track record of designing and delivering large scale, high quality operational or analytical data systems
- 7+ years successful and applicable hands on experience in the data development and principles including end-to-end design patterns
- Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
- Knowledge in a minimum of two of the following technical disciplines: data warehousing, data management, analytics development, data science, application programming interfaces (APIs), data integration, cloud, servers and storage, and database management
- Strong knowledge of industry trends and industry competition
- Basic understanding of network and data security architecture

Desired
- Any experience building solutions using elastic architectures (preferably Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform)
- Any experience with data science solutions or platforms
- Any experience with operational data science, machine learning or artificial intelligence solutions
- Any experience with a variety of SQL, NoSQL and Big Data Platforms

• 8+ years data platform experience (3+ years Databricks)
• Strong Python/SQL + retail/merchandising data expertise
• ML/AI model development & deployment experience
• Experience with PowerBI integration & dimensional modeling
• Databricks & cloud platform certifications (or willingness to obtain)

ABOUT US

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we've grown into what today is the nation's largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America's grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.

Here, people matter. That's why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you're caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.

Whether you're seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we've got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!

What you'll receive from us:

The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

For more information about benefits and eligibility, please visit our Benefits Page!

Client-provided location(s): Blue Ash, OH

Job ID: kroger-172255

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2026-01-22T19:42:52