Analytics Director - Data Science

We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Director of Data Platforms and Architecture to lead the design, development, and governance of our enterprise–wide Snacking data platform ecosystem. This individual will be responsible for driving platform strategy, fostering innovation, and ensuring robust data architecture that empower multiple products and capabilities to power business decisions, scalability, and operational excellence. As a strategic leader, the Director of Data Platforms and Architecture will oversee the implementation and optimization of cutting–edge data technologies & solutions, establish best practices in data platforms and governance, and provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams. You will work closely with stakeholders across business, IT, and analytics teams to align data architecture with organizational goals, enabling seamless data acquisition and advanced analytics capabilities. Develop and drive the long–term vision for enterprise data platforms and architecture, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities. Collaborate with C–level executives and business leaders to identify opportunities for leveraging data as a strategic asset. Data Platform Oversight: Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of modern data platforms, including cloud–native solutions, data lakes, data warehouses, and real–time processing systems. Ensure scalability, reliability, and high availability of the data ecosystem to support growing business needs. Define and implement enterprise data architecture standards, including data modeling, integration, and API frameworks. Optimize workflows and pipelines to ensure efficient and secure data ingestion, processing, storage, and access. Foster a data–driven culture by ensuring architecture supports self–service analytics and business intelligence tools. Data Governance & Security: Establish and enforce robust data governance practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies. Partner with IT security teams to implement secure–by–design data architectures that protect sensitive information and mitigate risks. Lead and mentor a team of data architects, platform engineers, and data governance professionals. Stay abreast of emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends in data platforms, AI/ML, and big data. Proactively evaluate and recommend new technologies that enhance data capabilities and drive business innovation. Partner with IT, analytics, and business teams to identify data needs and translate them into actionable platform solutions. Advocate for data democratization by enabling access to clean, high–quality data for decision–making. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or a related field. ~10+ years of experience in data engineering, architecture, or platform management roles, with 5+ years in leadership positions. ~ Expertise in modern data platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and big data technologies (e.g., Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and data security best practices. ~ Proven experience in enterprise–level architecture design and implementation. ~ Hands–on knowledge of database systems (SQL/NoSQL), ETL/ELT processes, and data modeling techniques. ~ Ability to work in fast–paced, agile environments and balance long–term strategy with short–term execution. Certifications in cloud platforms (AWS Certified Data Analytics, Azure Data Engineer, etc.). Experience with AI/ML technologies and data science platforms. Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Best–in–class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in–house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request.