AI Data Science Lead (Secondment 12-18 Months)

WHY PATIENTS NEED YOU

This position reports to the Director, Site AI Transformation and develops the site's intelligence layer — predictive models, machine learning, optimization, forecasting, computer vision, and Large Language Models. Success is measured by business value from deployed models, not accuracy alone: a highly accurate model nobody uses has zero value.

WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE

This role partners with the AI Data Engineers for data foundations and with the AI Data Security, Quality & Compliance Lead for validation, developing solutions such as batch-failure and downtime prediction, scheduling optimization, inventory recommendations, labor forecasting, and LLM operator assistants.

As a member of the site AI team, this role owns the analytical design and modeling approach for prioritized AI and advanced analytics use cases. The role translates defined business problems into analytical framing, optimization approaches, experiments, models, and recommendations that can be tested, validated, and converted into measurable operational value.

HOW YOU WILL ACHIEVE IT

• Own analytical framing for assigned AI and advanced analytics use cases, including problem definition, hypotheses, model objectives, assumptions, data requirements, success measures, and decision outputs.
• Develop predictive and machine learning models for use cases such as batch-failure prediction, downtime prediction, scheduling optimization, inventory recommendations, labor forecasting, and other operational decision-support needs.
• Apply optimization algorithms, statistical analysis, forecasting, simulation, experimentation, and computer vision methods where they are the right fit for the business problem.
• Design and run analytical experiments, model evaluations and scenario tests to determine what works, where it works, and what tradeoffs should be considered.
• Generate clear recommendations from model outputs, including expected impact, confidence level, operational implications, limitations, and next-best actions for business owners.
• Develop Generative AI / LLM solutions where appropriate while ensuring use cases have clear value, fit-for-purpose data, and appropriate validation expectations.
• Build AI prototypes and MVPs with business stakeholders once the opportunity has been prioritized, focusing on analytical feasibility, model performance, usability, and measurable value.
• Partner with AI Data Engineers to define required data sets, features, pipelines, data quality needs, and production-ready data flows.
• Partner with the AI Data Quality & Compliance Lead on model validation, responsible-AI requirements, documentation, monitoring, and lifecycle controls.
• Transition successful analytical solutions to enterprise platforms and Product Owners for sustainment, including model documentation, decision logic, performance expectations, and support needs.

Portrays Pfizer Leader Behaviors:

• Functional/Technical Knowledge: Carries out work activities with limited direction. Seeks to understand the difference between high and low value-added work and strives to adjust own and teams appropriately. Negotiates work interdependencies and is responsible about meeting expectations. Work decisions consider broader project goals and the responsibilities of others. Maintains and advocates high work standards. Shows awareness of and sensitivity to external environment.
• Inclusive Environment: Welcomes new members and helps others feel welcome. Advocates for inclusion of others. Share information with teammates/work partners. Works well with people who have different ideas, perspectives and cultural backgrounds. Show empathy and understand the importance of being sensitive to others' feelings. Suggest functions, business units and candidates to be included in the work of the group. Anticipates and considers stakeholder interests prior to implementation attempts. Appreciates how all colleagues' perspectives and differences add value to the team.
• Open Discussion and Debate: Seeks and demonstrates understanding of comparative viewpoints, alternative ideas and approaches. Utilizes integrative (non-zero-sum) conflict management skills. Solicits feedback. Responds productively when challenged.
• Impact and Organizational Contribution: Contributes to the completion of specific programs and projects. Failure to achieve results causes serious delays in meeting departmental objectives. Ensure that projects are completed on schedule following established procedures and schedules. Erroneous decisions or recommendations or failure to achieve results might cause delays in program schedules and result in the allocation of more resources. Motivates others, generating commitment and a shared sense of purpose.
• Manage Change: Anticipates and drives changes and suggests ways for the group to work with or exploit them. Suggests for ways to adapt processes and procedures to a variety of situations and changing circumstances. Ask for advice and guidance in finding ways to improve work processes.
• Develop People: Initiates feedback in support of the group's work. Partners with leadership and team members to support others'/own development. Freely transfers views, perspectives, knowledge. Knowing own strengths and developmental needs, proactive in addressing. Clear with others about needs for support. Seeks opportunities to expand responsibilities and develop skills.
• Align Across Pfizer: Asks "Who else should know?" Comprehends differing thought systems of colleagues from other business units. Understands how own role contributes to PGS/Pfizer vision. Employs growing knowledge of the Pfizer organization to suggest and promote alliances and collaboration with other business units. In words and behavior, supports decisions arrived after open discussion and debate. Shares innovations, ideas and best practices that may benefit others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must-Have

• Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 5+ years of experience; OR a master's degree with at least 3+ years of experience; OR a PhD with 0+ years of experience; OR as associate's degree with 8+ years of experience; OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience applying statistical analysis, machine learning, optimization, forecasting, advanced analytics, or AI methods to business problems.
• Ability to translate analytical concepts into operational recommendations and communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with data preparation, model validation, documentation, and structured problem solving.

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with Python, SQL, R, Snowflake, Power BI/Tableau, ML Ops, model deployment, computer vision, NLP, or Generative AI preferred.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing, pharmaceutical operations, supply chain, quality, maintenance, or laboratory environments preferred.
• Knowledge of responsible AI, model risk management, explainability, validation, data integrity, and governance expectations preferred.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Normal office role with frequent computer-based work, meetings, data review, business process analysis, and collaboration with site business areas.
• Ability to perform complex problem solving, prioritization, risk assessment, quantitative analysis, and written documentation.
• Periodic presence in manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, or operational areas may be required; must follow applicable site safety, gowning, data integrity, and GMP expectations.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• May require support outside normal business hours for critical site priorities, project milestones, production or compliance impacts, or executive reviews.
• Occasional travel may be required for site, network, vendor, or enterprise alignment meetings.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Draft role description for review; final job profile, grade, FLSA status, relocation eligibility, posting details, and compensation evaluation should be confirmed with HR/Compensation.
• The role is intended to support measurable business value delivery through AI, analytics, automation, process improvement, and compliant adoption.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Kalamazoo Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Process Automation, Finance, Digital, IMEx/Operational Excellence, Data/Analytics, Cybersecurity, Validation, Enterprise AI/Product teams, and external partners as applicable.

RESOURCES MANAGED

• This role may mentor analysts, contractors, project resources, or cross-functional colleagues but does not require direct reports unless assigned.
• Accountable for analytical methods, prototypes, model documentation, and value validation for assigned AI use cases.

OTHER JOB DETAILS

• Last Date to Apply for Job: October 8, 2026
• Additional Location Information: NA
• Eligible for Relocation Package – NO
• Secondment 12-18 months
• If you are currently in a driving position with a fleet vehicle and this secondment does not require driving as an essential function of the position for 12 months or longer, you will be required to turn in your fleet vehicle for the duration of the non-driving secondment. Please refer to the Fleet Policy and Procedures document for more information.
• There will be no change to your current work location.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

Manufacturing