Lead Analyst Quality Assurance Center | Data, Insights & Analytics Purpose & Impact The Lead Analyst is a senior analytics leader responsible for driving insight, consistency, and performance across Steak 'n Shake through advanced data analysis and people leadership. This role blends hands-on analytical expertise with team leadership-guiding analysts, shaping analytical standards, and ensuring insights translate into measurable business impact.
The Lead Analyst partners closely with cross-functional leaders to define metrics, build scalable reporting and forecasting capabilities, and elevate how data is used to improve quality, operations, and decision-making across the organization.
What You'll Do - Lead, coach, and develop a team of analysts, fostering strong analytical skills, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Set analytical standards and best practices for reporting, forecasting, and performance measurement
- Design, review, and oversee advanced financial and operational reporting, dashboards, and KPIs
- Analyze complex datasets to identify trends, root causes, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Develop and review forecasting models, projections, and scenario analyses used in strategic and operational planning
- Translate analytical insights into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders and cross-functional partners
- Serve as a trusted analytical partner to business leaders, helping shape questions, assumptions, and decision frameworks
- Ensure data integrity through strong validation, reconciliation, and quality assurance processes
- Drive improvements in data structure, documentation, and analytical workflows to improve scalability and efficiency
- Support internal audits and data governance efforts as needed
- Lead or contribute to high-impact projects such as sales forecasting, wage and labor market analysis, labor optimization, and store-level performance initiatives
- Coordinate analytical efforts across cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and consistency
What You Bring - Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Physics, Quantitative Economics, or a related analytical discipline
- 5+ years of experience in data analysis, business analytics, or a related quantitative role
- Prior experience leading or managing analysts, including coaching, prioritization, and performance development
- Strong SQL expertise preferred; experience with advanced analytical, statistical, or modeling techniques
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for modeling, forecasting, and decision support
- Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present insights and recommendations to senior audiences
- Highly detail-oriented with strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with competing priorities
- Demonstrates high personal integrity, humility, and accountability
- Passionate about developing people and using data and technology to drive better outcomes
