Data Science Team Leader - Ecommerce

Ocado Technology is putting the world’s retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We develop the innovative software and systems that power Ocado.com, the world’s largest online-only grocery retailer as well as the global ‘Ocado Smart Platform’. With everything from websites to fully autonomous warehouse that we design in-house, our employees need to be specialists in a wide range of technologies to help drive our business.

We champion a value-led culture to get our teams working at their very best and to help create a collaborative working environment that our people love. Core values of Trust, Autonomy, Craftsmanship, Collaboration and Learn Fast help drive our innovative culture

About the role:

This role is to lead one of the data science teams responsible for the algorithms behind the ecommerce systems in Ocado’s Smart Platform. The team is distributed across multiple development centers, and data scientists are seated in development teams to work closely together with engineers. As a Data Science Lead, you will organize our team of mostly Data Scientists and will be accountable for the outputs they provide.

The roles and responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead the team to research, develop and deploy sophisticated smart systems within the ecommerce area of the Ocado Smart Platform. This covers areas such as product discovery, customer level personalisation and assortment optimisation.
• Work with the Ecommerce Head of Data, Engineering Managers and Product teams to input to the Data Science roadmap - helping to prioritise and align with the area’s overall goals and missions.
• Manage your team’s projects end to end, advising and informing Product managers and Engineer leaders on the plans, progress, needs and results.
• Facilitate the continuous improvement of your team with mentoring, coaching, 1:1s and feedback.
• Take line management responsibility for the members of your team.
• Recruit people into the team when required and assist other teams with their recruitment.
• Encourage knowledge sharing initiatives and help build the data science community.

Essentially required:

• A strong data science background including solid coding skills, ideally Python
• Good knowledge of traditional ML techniques including recommender systems and deep learning (Machine learning deployment)
• Knowledge of building DS solutions end to end, from discovery to production and maintenance
• Experience of coaching and developing others
• Cultivating a team environment which is innovative, motivational, highly-productive and setup for rapid change
• Able to lead sophisticated research projects
• Skilled in collaboration both within and between teams/departments
• Experienced in Agile e.g. Kanban and Continuous Delivery

Company Benefits:

• Flexible working patterns and options for remote working (depending on your role/team)
• Wellbeing support through Apps such as Unmind and an Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
• Pension scheme(various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
• Private Medical Insurance
• 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
• Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 10% Share Options
• Opportunity to participate in Share save and Buy as You Earn share schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees
• Income Protection(can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance(3 x annual salary)
• Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices
• Free shuttle bus to and from Welwyn Garden City Train Station to the Welwyn Garden City offices