Job Description

Job Title: Lead Data Scientist

Location: Kingston Head Office

Note: We are considering part time of 4 days per week.

JOB PURPOSE

The Lead Data Scientist is an exciting role in the Data Science Centre of Excellence (CoE) team within D&A. This team builds state of the art machine learning algorithms, maximising the impact of D&A\xe2\x80\x99s solutions in driving enterprise performance. Typical initiatives include building a state of art enterprise scale demand forecasting engine, optimizing trade promotion investments, accurately forecasting customer demand, using NLP to glean insight on consumer trends from search data, and making individual assortment recommendations for each of the millions of stores that sell Unilever products. The role will work closely with a D&A functional team such as Customer Development or Supply Chain along with business stakeholders, addressing both large transformation programs and near-term business problems.

The Lead Data Scientist improves business performance in the functional area of Unilever they serve, through the application of world class data science capability. They have end to end ownership for data science on major global initiatives, to include data and modelling approach, technical design, and leadership of team members whether Unilever FTEs or 3rd party employees. Key Responsibility of this role will be to a data science design authority during the global forecasting solution rollout.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead data scientist with design authority responsibility during the build and post go live improvement for Forecast Engine Utility and Integrated Business Operation product.
• Develop and Govern data science build process and model Change landscape for enterprise level one-forest solution together with business team such as digital supply chain, integrated customer development team and MLOps team.
• Develop process and scientific methods for model diagnostics and quality assurance during build and post go live changes.
• Lead the design and development of modular and reusable ML forecasting solution called FEU LEGO. Establish scalable, efficient, automated processes for data analyses, model development, validation, and implementation.
• Write efficient and well-organized ML based software to ship products in an iterative, continual-release environment.
• Engaging in strategic discussions to identify problems while measuring and improving the quality of workflows. Identify and implement opportunities to improve tooling and implementation of scalable solutions.
• Working in an agile environment with globally distributed teams.
• Contribute to the AI innovation and build thought leadership via publications/patents and presence in industry/academic conference.
• Interact with relevant teams to identify business challenges where data science can help.
• Apply comprehensive data science knowledge to propose optimal techniques for key business challenges.
• Create detailed data science proposals and project plans, flagging any limitations of proposed solution.
• Design scaled solutions and ensure high quality and timely delivery.
• Facilitate industrialization and ongoing operation of solutions through well organised code, clear documentation and collaboration with ML Ops resources.
• Govern the work of 3rd party vendors where needed to support delivery, while maximising creation of Unilever IP
• Represent Data Science in cross-functional governance of projects, engaging with stakeholders up to VP level.
• Highlight recent developments in data science capability which could solve additional challenges and recommend strategic areas of new capability to develop.
• Lead a team of up to 10 Data Scientists (WL2C) and Senior Data Scientists, providing career mentorship and line management.
• Provide technical guidance to data scientists across D&A, particularly on the projects you lead.
• Support the growth of D&A\xe2\x80\x99s data science capability by leading activities such as tool and vendor selection, best practice definition, recruitment, and creation of training materials.
• Build the reputation of D&A\xe2\x80\x99s data science capability within Unilever and externally, through activities such as presenting up to exec level, community engagement (e.g. Yammer), publications, blogs, speaking at conferences and participating in industry steering groups.
• Provide ad-hoc & immediate support to the business when needed (for example Covid-19 crisis support)

Depending on the specific project, the Lead Data Scientist can expect 40-60% of their work to be hands-on prototyping solutions, with the remainder spent planning and designing, overseeing and reviewing work of project staff, interfacing with stakeholders and managing team members.

ALL ABOUT YOU

To do this job successfully, you will need expert level skills in Time Series models, Machine Learning, and strong hold of object-oriented programming with large data. Experience in building enterprise level ML products will be a pre-requisite for this role.

Standards of Leadership Required in This Role

• Personal Mastery (Data-science and advanced analytics)
• Agility
• Business acumen
• Passion for High Performance

Key Skills Required

Professional Skills

• Machine learning: Expert
• Statistical modelling: Expert
• Forecasting/ Advanced Time series models: Expert
• Optimisation techniques and tools: Fully Operational
• Python coding: Fully Operational
• Data science platform tools e.g. MS Azure, Databricks: Fully Operational
• Deep learning (temporal learning): Fully Operational
• Collaborative development using Git repos: Fully Operational
• Automated Machine Learning platforms: Foundational knowledge

While a broad data science technical background is required, the role will benefit from deeper skills (for example post-doctoral research) in one of the following areas, optimization, simulation, forecasting, natural language processing, temporal & spatial learning.

General Skills

• Project Management: Expert
• Communication / presentation skills: Expert
• 3rd party resource management: Expert
• CPG Industry analytics: Expert

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, including the ability to influence peers and senior business stakeholders across Unilever.

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum of B.S. in a relevant technical field (e.g. Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, Operations Research); preferably a postgraduate (Masters or Doctorate) degree
• Relevant experience building data science solutions to solve business problems, preferably in the CPG industry (or 7-8 years for those with a PhD)
• Experience with open-source languages (eg. Python) and equivalent tools for distributed computing (PySpark)
• Experience deploying solutions in a modern cloud-based architecture.
• Experience managing the work of team members and 3rd party resource vendors.
• Experience presenting insights and influencing decisions of senior non-technical stakeholders.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world\xe2\x80\x99s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry\xe2\x80\x99s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That\xe2\x80\x99s why our purpose is \xe2\x80\x98to make sustainable living commonplace\xe2\x80\x99

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You\xe2\x80\x99ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click .

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How is Unilever tackling this?

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