Lead Data Scientist

Lead Data Scientist

Job Description

We are looking for a Lead Data Scientist to join the eCommerce Data team! Based from
NEXT Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire with a competitive salary range and great
benefits..
Let’s talk numbers. When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a bigger name. We sell
thousands of items an hour and are expanding our e-commerce business by the second. For
anyone in Tech, this is the place to learn. To grow. And to thrive.
eCommerce Data provides the department and the business the means to see what is
working and what is not by drawing data and analysing patterns of shopping on our site
and in general.
The role
As a Lead Data Scientist, you will own the algorithm roadmap for NextAds, architecting
novel solutions to drive true incremental revenue. This is a unique opportunity to join a
relatively new area of the business within a growing team. What You’ll Be Working On:
● Architect & Build: Design, test and deploy state-of-the-art predictive models (e.g.
Two-Tower, Recurrent Neural Networks, XGBRanker) that drive the internal Ad
ranking and assignment algorithms.
● Optimise Feedback Loops: Increase responsiveness of ad algorithms to real-world
events and outcomes in the pursuit of real-time decisioning.
● Lead Technical Strategy: Proactively lead the design, development, and deployment
of data science solutions.
● Production Excellence: Write robust, scalable, production-grade code and champion
best practices.
● Communication and Collaboration: Present outcomes to senior leadership teams
and work with stakeholders across the eCommerce team to move towards shared
business goals.
Required Skills and Qualifications
● BSc, MSc, or PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.

● 4+ years of experience in Data Science, with a focus on personalisation or
recommendation systems.
● Proven leadership experience with the ability to guide projects from conception to
deployment.
● Advanced proficiency in PyTorch or TensorFlow
● Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, and distributed processing (PySpark).
● Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex data insights into
actionable business strategies.
Preferred:
● Experience in AdTech.
● Familiarity with MLFlow, Databricks and Azure DevOps.
You’ll be doing all this from our Leicestershire Head Office. Our offices are inspiring, yes. But
we understand that life happens. So, we’re big on making sure your work works for you which
is why we offer flexible working. Bring your energy. Play to your strengths. Make things
bigger and better than before.
Benefits
● Competitive salary band of £64,000 - £77,000
● Flexible working
● Annual company performance based bonus
● Sharesave scheme, which allows you to invest in NEXT and claim your share of our
success
● Private Medical Insurance
● Annual Pay Reward
● Pension 3% Employer/ 5% Employee
● 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (can also buy/sell up to 3 days)
● 25% staff discount and free next day delivery to desk for online purchases
● A newly refurbished subsidised restaurant and bar
● Staff shops in Yorkshire and Leicestershire
● Juice bar and coffee shop
● Gympass - discounted gym membership
● Free company bus service to and from Leicester city centre and other areas
● Onsite nursery (salary sacrifice scheme) in Leicester
● A digital GP healthcare service
● & loads more!
The business
You know NEXT, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 43,000
people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for
Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count, we have over 500 stores, plus NEXT
Online and it’s now possible to buy online from over 70 countries around the world.