Data Scientist — State of Independent Retail Research

Data Scientist - State Of Independent Retail Research

Cash Margin Partners| McLean, VA (Hybrid) or Remote (US) | [Full-Time / Contract]

About Cash Margin Partners

Cash Margin Partners, Inc. is a tech-enabled B2B marketplace helping independent, owner-operated retailers convert trapped and dead inventory into cash. We combine proprietary diagnostic technology with a curated network of bulk buyers to unlock working capital that would otherwise sit on a shelf, without retailers ever giving up ownership of their inventory until it sells. We're expanding rapidly, starting in the DMV (DC / Maryland / Virginia) with additional US markets and international markets on the roadmap.

The Role:

We're hiring a Data Scientist to build and own "The State of Independent Retail" — a flagship research initiative that will establish Cash Margin Partners as the authoritative voice on the health, challenges, and economics of independent, owner-operated retail in the United States. You'll produce a national report and a series of regional/local deep-dives (starting with the DMV, expanding alongside our market launches) that combine public data, proprietary data from our platform, primary research (surveys, interviews), and market analysis into reports used by retailers, investors, press, and partners.

This is a high-visibility, founder-adjacent role. The research you produce will directly shape our go-to-market strategy, investor materials, PR/media placements, and brand positioning as we expand into new cities and regions.

What You'll Do:

• Design and execute the research methodology for a recurring "State of Independent Retail" report, at both the national and regional/local level
• Source, clean, and analyze data from public sources (Census, BLS, SBA, state/local economic data, industry associations), third-party datasets, and Cash Margin Partners' own platform data
• Design and field primary research: retailer surveys, interviews, and panel studies
• Build repeatable data pipelines and models so new regional reports can be produced quickly as we enter new markets (starting with the DMV)
• Translate findings into clear, compelling narratives, charts, and visualizations for a mixed audience of retailers, investors, and media
• Partner with leadership, marketing, and PR to shape how findings are published and distributed (reports, press placements, investor materials)
• Identify trends and insights that inform product, sales, and market-expansion strategy

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in data science, applied economics, market research, or a related analytical field
• Strong skills in statistical analysis and data visualization (Python or R; tools like Tableau/Power BI a plus)
• Experience designing and analyzing surveys or other primary research instruments
• Comfort working with messy, incomplete, or non-standardized public and third-party data
• Excellent written communication — able to turn analysis into a clear, credible narrative report, not just a spreadsheet
• A genuine interest in small business, local economies, and retail
• Startup mindset: comfortable building process from scratch, working with ambiguity, and moving quickly

Nice to have:

• Experience with retail, e-commerce, or small-business economic data specifically
• Prior experience publishing public-facing research reports or working with press on data-driven stories
• Experience with GIS / regional/local economic mapping

Why Cash Margin Partners

• Own a flagship research product from day on: your name and work will be the public face of our research
• Work directly with our founding team and Advisory Board
• Ground-floor opportunity at a fast-growing startup

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume and 1–2 writing/research samples to John.Valenti@CashMarginPartners.co with the subject line "Data Scientist — State of Independent Retail."

• Cash Margin Partners, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.