Senior Data Science Manager

The Lead Data Scientistimprovesbusiness performanceinthefunctional area of Unilever they serve, through the application ofworld class data science capability.They have end to end ownership for data science on major global initiatives, to include data andmodelingapproach, technical design,and leadership ofteam members whether Unilever FTEs or 3rdparty employees. 

Key accountabilities:

• Applycomprehensivedata scienceknowledgetoproposeoptimaltechniques forkey business challenges

• Create detailed data science proposals and project plans, flagging any limitationsof proposed solution

• Design and prototypeexperimentalsolutions, particularly machine learning models

• Design scaledsolutions andensurehigh quality andtimelydelivery

• Facilitate industrialization and ongoing operation of solutions through well organised code, cleardocumentationand collaboration with ML Ops resources

• Govern the work of 3rdparty 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 solveadditionalchallenges, and recommendstrategic areas of new capability to develop

• Leada team of up to 10DataScientistsandSeniorData Scientists,providingcareer mentorshipand line management

• Providetechnical guidance to datascientistsacrossDF, particularlyon the projects you lead

• Support the growth ofDF’sdata science capabilityby leadingactivitiessuch as tool and vendor selection,best practice definition, recruitment, and creation oftraining materials

• Build thereputation ofDF’sdata science capabilitywithinUnileverand externally,through activities such aspresenting up to exec level,DScommunity engagement,publications, blogs,speaking atconferencesandparticipatingin industry steering groups.

• Providead-hoc support to the businesswhen needed

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

Experience and qualificationsrequired:

(Detail essential and desirable experience)

Key Skills Required

Professional Skills

• Machine learning  Expert

• Statistical modellingExpert

• Forecasting                                                                               Expert 

• Optimisation techniques and tools                                      Fully Operational

• Python coding                                                                          Fully Operational

• Data scienceplatformtools e.g.MS Azure,Databricks  Fully Operational

• Deep learning(and applicationstoNLP & ComputerVision)   Fully Operational

• Generative and agentic AIdevelopment                                        Foundational knowledge

• Automated Machine LearningplatformsFoundationalknowledge

While a strong foundational knowledge of all the above skills isessential, thereis some flexibility to shape the role around an individual with deepexpertiseeither inthe Forecasting andOptimization space, or inGenerative andAgentic AI. 

General Skills

• Project ManagementExpert

• Communication / presentation skills                                    Expert

• 3rdparty resource management                                           Expert

• CPG Industry analytics                                                             Expert

Strong communicationand stakeholder engagementskillsare essential, including theability toinfluencepeersand seniorbusiness stakeholdersacross Unilever. 

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum ofB.S. in a relevant technical field (e.g.Computer Science, Statistics,Engineering,Operations Research);preferably a postgraduate (Masters or Doctorate) degree

• 10years experiencebuilding data science solutions to solve business problems, preferably in the CPG industry (or 7-8 years for those with a PhD)

• Experience withopen sourcelanguages (eg.Python) and equivalent tools for distributed computing (PySpark)

• Experiencedeploying solutionsina modern cloud-based architecture

• Experience managing the workofteam members and 3rdparty resource vendors

• Experience presentinginsightsand influencing decisions of senior non-technical stakeholders

Key interfaces

Internal

• Unilever operational, marketing, customer development, supply chain, product & finance teams

• Other Data Foundation teams (XOpsdelivery squads; DataCoE;AICoE, Engineering and ArchitectureCoE)

External

• 3rd party Data Science vendors 

• Universities

• Industry bodies

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Note: "All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent—please verify before proceeding."