Data Scientist

Kawasaki Motors Retail Finance is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Scientist to manage and analyze complex data for our retail finance operations. This role is pivotal in leveraging data-driven insights to optimize performance, enhance decision-making, and support business strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques, particularly within the retail finance domain. This position will report to the Senior Group Manager, Data Science.

Model Development & Forecasting:
Design, build, and maintain advance predictive models to support credit risk assessment, loan performance forecasting, customer segmentation, and pricing strategies.
Data Management & Analysis:
Manage, clean, and analyze large-scale, structured, and unstructured datasets to generate actionable insights that inform business strategies and drive operational efficiency.
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA):
Perform deep-dive analysis to uncover trends, patterns, and new business opportunities in the retail finance powersports market.
Cross-functional Collaboration:
Partners with teams across the business to understand key objectives and translate them into data science solutions that drive value and measurable impact.
Dashboarding & Visualization:
Develop, maintain, and optimize interactive dashboards and reporting tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to track KPI’s monitor portfolio performance, and support data storytelling.
Data Quality & Governance:
Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and security of financial data while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and internal governance policies.
Process Improvement:
Identify and implement opportunities for automation, workflow enhancements, and advanced analytics use cases to streamline data operations and improve decision making.
Pipeline Optimization:
Coordinate with IT and engineering teams to design robust, scalable data pipelines and improve integration processes across internal systems and third-party platforms.
Strategic Insight & Communication:
Deliver clear and concise insights and data backed recommendations to stakeholders at all levels, supporting strategic initiatives and financial planning processes.
Continuous Learning & Innovation:
Stay abreast of emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies in the data science and fintech landscape and apply innovative technologies to enhance business outcomes.
Regulatory & Policy Compliance:
Ensure all data activities, models and reporting processes comply with applicable financial regulations and company policies.
Additional Responsibilities:
Perform other duties as assigned to support the growth and success of the analytics and retail finance teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field required; master’s or advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in data science or advance analytics, with direct experience in retail finance or financial services is required.
• Strong proficiency in Python, R, and SQL for data manipulation and model development.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks and algorithms (scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow).
• Expertise in statistical modeling, forecasting, and financial analytic techniques.
• Proficient with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data pipeline tools (AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Airflow).
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills with sharp attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex data insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work on-site at our Foothill Ranch, CA office, with a collaborative and team-oriented mindset.

Profile Differentiators:

Startup and High-Growth Experience:
Demonstrated success working in fast-paced environments, especially as a founder, co-founder, or early-stage team member where adaptability, innovation, and execution were critical.

Industry Expertise in Powersports Finance:

Direct experience or strong familiarity with the powersports (motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, PWCs) finance industry, including knowledge of retail installment contracts, dealer networks, and consumer behavior in the powersports segment.

Fintech Fluency:

Deep understanding of fintech trends, applications, and innovations, particularly those that impact consumer lending, digital finance platforms, alternative credit models, and automation in financial services.

Advanced SQL and Data Engineering Skills:

Expertise in writing optimized, complex SQL queries and working with large scale relational databases. Experience with data wrangling, ETL processes, and performance tuning.

Cloud and Data Pipeline Proficiency:
Hands-on experience with cloud-based platforms such as AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Airflow. Also including tools like S3, Redshift, Glue, EMR, Azure Synapse, and Data Factory.

Hybrid Technical & Strategic Mindset:

Ability to bridge the gap between deep technical analysis and high-level business strategy, delivering insights that directly support revenue growth, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Strong Business Acumen:

Comfort operating at the intersection of data science, finance, and product strategy, with an understanding of key business drivers and KPI’s in consumer lending and asset-backed finance.

Entrepreneurial Spirit:

A self-starter mentality with a passion for building, optimizing, and scaling data-driven systems and solutions from the ground up

Salary range: $110,000 - $115,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

To support your health and wellness goals, Kawasaki provides a comprehensive benefits program dedicated to the well-being of our employees and their families.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Pet insurance
• 401(k) match
• Life and Disability benefits
• Generous PTO policy
• Up to 12 paid company holidays
• Employee discounts on Kawasaki products
• Onsite fitness center
• Kawasaki Kafe

KMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with KMRF is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.