CAVA is seeking to solve the challenge of leveraging AI and data science to improve guest experience, streamline operations, and drive profitability in the quick-serve restaurant industry.
Requirements
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in data science and machine learning
- 5+ years people leadership experience with the ability to hire, develop, and build high-performing teams
- Proven experience with the Databricks platform for large-scale data engineering, analytics, and machine learning
- Experience with big data tools (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Databricks) and data pipeline orchestration (e.g., Airflow, Kafka)
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, Scala, or SQL
- Expertise in developing and deploying machine learning models, including supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and NLP
- Strong understanding of data engineering principles, including ETL processes and database management
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the AI/ML/Gen AI technical direction, vision, and roadmap ensuring alignment with strategic goals
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, translating complex data science topics into business language
- Lead cross-functional AI Council to ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and ethical AI standards and identify high-value AI use cases and prioritize investments
- Establish frameworks, platforms, and reusable assets to democratize AI and make it accessible across business units
- Oversee the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models and algorithms to solve QSR-specific challenges
- Collaborate with IT and engineering teams to build and maintain robust data pipelines, ensuring high-quality, real-time data availability for AI applications
- Translate complex AI models into actionable insights and tools that non-technical stakeholders can leverage to improve decision-making
Other
- Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative field desired, or bachelor’s degree in quantitative disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Excellent executive communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
- Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
- Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
- Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
