About Company
National Foods Holdings Limited is a leading food manufacturer in Zimbabwe, dedicated to producing high-quality food products that nourish the nation. With a rich history spanning over a century, we are a household name, known for our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Our diverse portfolio encompasses milling, edible oils, and packaged foods, playing a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s food security and economic development. We are continually seeking to leverage cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights to optimize our operations, enhance product quality, and meet the evolving needs of our consumers across the country. Join us in shaping the future of food in Zimbabwe.
Job Description
Are you passionate about unlocking the power of data to drive strategic decisions and operational excellence? National Foods Holdings Limited, Zimbabwe’s premier food manufacturer, is seeking an experienced and innovative Data Scientist to join our dynamic team in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province. This is an unparalleled opportunity to apply your expertise in a sector critical to national well-being, transforming raw data into actionable insights that impact our entire value chain, from agricultural sourcing to consumer delivery.
In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of our data-driven transformation. You will utilize advanced statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and predictive analytics to solve complex business challenges across various departments, including supply chain optimization, production efficiency, market analysis, sales forecasting, and quality control. Imagine identifying patterns in crop yields to inform better procurement strategies, predicting consumer demand to optimize inventory, or enhancing equipment maintenance schedules to minimize downtime. Your work will directly contribute to improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ultimately, ensuring the consistent supply of high-quality food products to millions of Zimbabweans.
We are looking for a hands-on problem-solver who can not only build sophisticated models but also effectively communicate complex analytical findings to diverse audiences, including senior management and non-technical stakeholders. You will collaborate closely with operational teams to understand their data needs, design robust data experiments, and develop scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly into our existing infrastructure. If you thrive in an environment where your analytical prowess can make a tangible difference, contributing to a company that impacts everyday lives, then we encourage you to apply and help us shape the future of food production in Zimbabwe through the power of data.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and maintain advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to solve complex business problems.
- Analyze large, complex datasets from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights that drive strategic decisions.
- Collaborate closely with business units (e.g., operations, marketing, supply chain, agriculture) to understand their challenges and define data-driven solutions.
- Design and develop robust data pipelines, automated reporting systems, and interactive dashboards to monitor key performance indicators.
- Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging technologies, and new tools in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
- Support data governance initiatives, ensuring data quality, integrity, and security across the organization.
- Mentor junior data analysts and contribute to building a data-driven culture within the company.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R for data analysis and modeling.
- Strong expertise in SQL for data extraction and manipulation from relational databases.
- Extensive experience with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
- Solid understanding of statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and experimental design.
- Demonstrable experience with data visualization tools and techniques (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities to convey technical insights effectively.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), agriculture, or manufacturing sectors.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and services (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Experience with big data technologies such as Apache Spark or Hadoop.
- Knowledge of supply chain optimization, demand forecasting, or predictive maintenance techniques.
- Ph.D. in a relevant quantitative field.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonus package.
- Opportunities for continuous professional growth and development.
- Engaging and impactful work that contributes to national food security.
- A dynamic, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
- Generous annual leave and public holidays.
- Company contributions to pension schemes.
How to Apply
Please click on the link below to apply for this job. Ensure your CV and a comprehensive cover letter clearly highlight your relevant experience, technical skills, and how you can contribute to National Foods’ data-driven journey in transforming our operations. We look forward to receiving your application.