Sr Labor Planning and Optimization Analyst

About Target

As a Fortune 50 company with over 400,000 team members worldwide, Target is an iconic brand and one of America’s leading retailers. Our purpose is to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. We prioritize relationships, develop talent, and invest in the places where we collectively live, work, and play.
At the heart of our success is our Operations and Supply Chain organization a critical function that ensures Target’s stores, fulfillment centers, and distribution sites run smoothly, efficiently, and with a focus on people-first decision-making.

About the Role

As a Senior Labor Planning & Optimization Analyst, you will be part of a high-impact analytics and planning team responsible for building data-driven labor optimization models and supporting workforce planning across multiple sites. This role partners closely with operational and site leadership teams to identify opportunities, streamline processes, and drive hiring and staffing decisions that enhance productivity and service levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain optimization and forecasting models using advanced analytical techniques and statistical methods.
• Conduct end-to-end data analysis from extraction (SQL) to modeling (Python) and visualization (BI tools).
• Translate complex data findings into clear insights and actionable recommendations for operational leaders.
• Partner with site leaders, HR, and finance to forecast labor needs and support data-informed hiring strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable labor planning tools and dashboards.
• Continuously refine and improve the accuracy and usability of labor models based on performance feedback and business needs.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on labor planning methodologies, workload modeling, and optimization techniques.
• Facilitate data-driven decision-making through regular reviews with site leadership and senior management.
• Work in flexible shift timings to drive regular interactions with field teams and sites in the US, including meetings with field teams that will extend till 1 AM IST.
• Coordinated communication and engagement with senior leadership (SOD/GVP) from the MPLS team across site and HQ.
• Mentor and guide junior analysts, fostering a culture of learning and excellence.

Core Technical Skills

• Programming & Data Tools: Python (Pandas, NumPy, SciPy), SQL, R (optional), and data visualization platforms (Tableau, Power BI).
• Optimization Techniques: Linear/Integer Programming, Simulation, and Predictive Modeling.
• Analytical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of statistical analysis, regression, and scenario modeling.
• Data Management: Experience with data cleaning, transformation, and automation pipelines.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, Data Analytics, Operations Research, Statistics, or a related field.
• Supply chain and Warehouse knowledge
• 4-6+ years of experience in workforce/labor analytics, operations research, or similar analytical roles.
• Proven ability to build optimization and forecasting models using Python and SQL.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field.
• Experience in labor optimization, logistics, or supply chain planning within retail or distribution environments.
• Familiarity with Target’s operational systems and data environments (preferred but not required).

Core Behaviors

• Collaborative Partner: Works closely with site teams to understand local challenges and design tailored solutions.
• Data-Driven Decision Maker: Uses analytics to support strategic labor planning and optimization.
• Innovator: Continuously explores new methods and technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Communicator: Translates analytical findings into actionable business insights.