Hichem Elfertas - Senior Data Scientist

Q: Where is Hichem based?

Hichem is based in Brussels, Belgium .

Q: What languages does Hichem speak?

Hichem speaks the following languages: Arabic (Native), English (Advanced), French (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Hichem have?

Hichem has at least 12 years of experience. During this time, Hichem has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 7 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 6 months . Note that Hichem may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Hichem's latest experience?

Hichem's most recent position is Senior Data Scientist at Shurgard .

Q: What companies has Hichem worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Hichem has worked for Shurgard .

Q: Which industries is Hichem most experienced in?

Hichem is most experienced in industries like Real Estate , Banking and Finance , and Pharmaceutical . Hichem also has some experience in Insurance .

Q: Which business areas is Hichem most experienced in?

Hichem is most experienced in business areas like Business Intelligence , Finance , Investments, and M&A & Venture Capital . Hichem also has some experience in Information Technology (IT) , Marketing , and Research and Development (R&D) .

Q: Which industries has Hichem worked in recently?

Hichem has recently worked in industries like Real Estate .

Q: Which business areas has Hichem worked in recently?

Hichem has recently worked in business areas like Business Intelligence , Finance , and Information Technology (IT) .

Recommended expert

Brussels, Belgium

Experience

May 2023 - Present

2 years 11 months

Brussels, Belgium

Senior Data Scientist

Shurgard

Suggested, designed, and developed end-to-end machine learning and advanced analytics solutions with the Data & AI Team to increase revenue or reduce cost.
Led migration of all developed ML models and tools to the Databricks platform.
Ensured smooth production deployment of ML products, optimizing for scalability and performance.
Successfully migrated and deployed ML products to a robust, scalable platform.
Improved model performance and reliability in production, enabling more efficient data-driven decisions.
Developed an AI agent capable of performing text classification and sentiment analysis on customer reviews.
Created visualizations of sentiment analysis results to provide actionable insights to the business.
Automated generation of sentiment analysis reports and integrated them into existing systems.
Eliminated the need for third-party sentiment analysis services, resulting in cost savings.
Provided direct access to sentiment insights, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
Designed and developed a predictive model to identify clients likely to end contracts based on visitation patterns, contract features, and customer profiles.
Integrated the predictive model into operational workflows, enabling store managers to take timely retention actions.
Collaborated with stakeholders to align the model with business goals and engagement strategies.
Provided store managers with actionable insights to increase customer retention.
Enhanced long-term client relationship maintenance, contributing to sustained revenue.
Supervised a data science intern’s master’s project by guiding coding, machine learning techniques, and providing relevant business insights.
Supported successful completion of the intern’s project and enhanced practical skills.
Technologies: Python, PySpark, SQL, Azure Databricks, Azure DevOps, VSCode.
Methodology: Agile.

Jan 2020 - May 2023

3 years 5 months

Brussels, Belgium

Data Scientist

Shurgard

Worked within the Pricing Team on developing a new revenue management tool.
Designed the data model to feed machine learning models and pricing workflows for a multi-country pricing model across seven European countries.
Developed a pricing model based on microeconomic theory, incorporating factors like supply, demand, and customer lifetime value.
Implemented a comprehensive testing strategy to measure and validate the model’s performance.
Created monitoring workflows to ensure continuous performance of the pricing model.
Increased revenue generated by new customers by 6.8% and achieved adoption by 60% of warehouses in targeted countries.
Designed and developed a rate increase model using survival models and customer lifetime value analysis.
Established a testing strategy and built workflows to monitor the rate increase model’s effectiveness.
Increased revenue from existing customers by 5% and applied the model to 80% of the existing customer base.
Developed ML tools to forecast revenue for new warehouses and acquisitions, supporting investment decisions.
Created and integrated an optimization tool to enhance warehouse unit mix, improving space utilization.
Improved investment decisions with accurate revenue predictions and boosted ROI through optimized unit mix.
Conducted in-depth analyses to uncover trends and provided data-driven recommendations to the Pricing Team and executives.

Jan 2019 - Dec 2019

1 year

Brussels, Belgium

Data Scientist

Carrefour Finance

Generated actionable insights using analytics techniques and machine learning within the Marketing Department.
Developed an RFM segmentation and migration matrix using SAS.
Performed on-demand customer behavioral analysis using SAS.
Contributed to product development by deciding messages and offers for each customer.
Made recommendations to improve customer selections and A/B tests.
Evaluated marketing campaigns and fidelity programs.
Developed and automated dashboards.
Developed a churn model to improve customer retention.

Jul 2018 - Nov 2018

5 months

Brussels, Belgium

Risk Modeler

Euler Hermes

Worked on producing internal reporting for group entities’ risk metrics within the Capital and Risk Management Department.
Created and enhanced tools for risk calculation and monitoring.
Produced monthly and quarterly risk reporting.
Documented the risk metrics production process.
Performed data reconciliation from different sources.

Dec 2017 - May 2018

6 months

Brussels, Belgium

SAS Developer

AXA Belgium

Contributed to a DataMart shift by updating and developing SAS macro programs to produce performance analysis of investments.
Produced performance analysis by updating and adapting existing SAS macro programs according to the new DataMart.
Developed new SAS macro programs to enhance and optimize the performance analysis process.
Tested performance analysis accuracy in coordination with the middle office team.

Sep 2015 - Nov 2017

2 years 3 months

Brussels, Belgium

Pension Investments Analyst

Sanofi European Treasury Center

Advised five pension governance bodies in three European countries on investment activities, regulations, and tax optimization.
Monitored investments of eight pension plans with a €2.5 billion portfolio.
Provided performance analytics and communicated findings to investment country managers and fund trustees.
Performed due diligence, quantitative and qualitative analysis for fund and manager selections.
Provided investment-related studies for management and trustees.
Benchmarked pension fund performance and allocation.
Supported reconciliation, verification, and communication of fund performances.

Dec 2014 - May 2015

6 months

Paris, France

Equity Strategist

Société Générale Private Banking

Assisted strategists in making investment recommendations, building macroeconomic scenarios, and monitoring equity markets.
Developed a new tool reflecting real Chinese economic growth.
Enhanced and developed equity valuation tools (risk premium, Shiller PE ratio).
Conducted on-demand economic analysis for clients and portfolio managers.

Sep 2013 - Nov 2014

1 year 3 months

Paris, France

Operational Risk Analyst

Natixis Global Asset Management

Assisted risk managers in monitoring and quantifying operational risk for over thirty asset management firms.
Designed and documented a method for quantifying operational risks (Advanced Approach) using R.
Conducted annual risk measurements and stress tests for regulatory purposes.
Developed operational risk maps for five new private equity firms.
Automated risk quantification processes.

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Real Estate (6 years), Banking and Finance (2.5 years), Pharmaceutical (2 years), and Insurance (1 year).

Real Estate

Banking and Finance

Pharmaceutical

Insurance

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Business Intelligence (8 years), Finance (7.5 years), Information Technology (3 years), Investments and M&A (3 years), Marketing (1 year), and Research and Development (0.5 years).

Business Intelligence

Finance

Information Technology

Investments and M&A

Marketing

Research and Development

Summary

Senior Data Scientist with 10+ years of experience designing and deploying machine learning, advanced analytics, and AI-driven solutions.

Proficient in Python, PySpark, SQL, SAS, and R, with extensive experience in Azure Databricks for large-scale data processing and Azure DevOps for agile project delivery and version control.

Skilled in Deep Learning (TensorFlow) and Generative AI Engineering (Databricks), with hands-on expertise in GPT models, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), LangChain, Hugging Face ecosystem, and OpenAI APIs.

Passionate about leveraging machine learning and Generative AI to develop scalable, value-driven solutions that enhance business performance and decision-making.

Skills

Python
R
Sas
Sql
Pyspark
Vba
Databricks
Azure Devops
Ensemble Algorithms - Bagging (Random Forest)
Ensemble Algorithms - Boosting (Adaboost, Gradientboosting, Xgboost)
Vscode
Git
Python (Numpy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, Pytorch, Tensorflow, Nltk)
Genai
Rag
Gpt
Hugging Face
Ai Agents

Languages

Arabic

Native

English

Advanced

French

Advanced

Education

Oct 2012 - Jun 2014

Paris Dauphine & Pantheon Assas University

Master statistical & financial engineering · Statistical & financial engineering · Paris, France

Oct 2008 - Jun 2012

Law School, Algiers University

Bachelor in law · Law · Algeria

Oct 2007 - Jun 2012

National School of Statistics and Applied Economics

Engineer in applied statistics · Applied statistics · Algeria

Profile

Created

December 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Hichem based?

Hichem is based in Brussels, Belgium.

What languages does Hichem speak?

Hichem speaks the following languages: Arabic (Native), English (Advanced), French (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Hichem have?

Hichem has at least 12 years of experience. During this time, Hichem has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 7 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 6 months. Note that Hichem may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Hichem be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Hichem would be well-suited for roles such as: Senior Data Scientist, Data Scientist, Risk Modeler.

What is Hichem's latest experience?

Hichem's most recent position is Senior Data Scientist at Shurgard.

What companies has Hichem worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Hichem has worked for Shurgard.

Which industries is Hichem most experienced in?

Hichem is most experienced in industries like Real Estate, Banking and Finance, and Pharmaceutical. Hichem also has some experience in Insurance.

Which business areas is Hichem most experienced in?

Hichem is most experienced in business areas like Business Intelligence, Finance, Investments, and M&A & Venture Capital. Hichem also has some experience in Information Technology (IT), Marketing, and Research and Development (R&D).

Which industries has Hichem worked in recently?

Hichem has recently worked in industries like Real Estate.

Which business areas has Hichem worked in recently?

Hichem has recently worked in business areas like Business Intelligence, Finance, and Information Technology (IT).

What is Hichem's education?

Hichem holds a Master in Statistical & financial engineering from Paris Dauphine & Pantheon Assas University and a Bachelor in Law from Law School, Algiers University.

What is the availability of Hichem?

Hichem is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Hichem?

Hichem's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.