Data Science Consultant - Logistics & GenAI in Birmingham

Location: Birmingham, UK

Engagement: Contract

Sector: Logistics / Supply Chain / Transport

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Data Science Consultant with a strong background in logistics and generative AI to support our clients on a contract basis. This is a client‑facing role where you will combine hands‑on data expertise with consulting skills to identify, shape, and deliver high‑impact data and AI opportunities across logistics operations. You will work closely with business stakeholders, operations teams, and technical staff to understand processes end‑to‑end, uncover value opportunities, and translate them into practical data and GenAI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Consulting & Opportunity Mining
  • Engage with business and operations stakeholders to understand current logistics processes, pain points, and strategic goals.
  • Identify and prioritise data‑driven and GenAI‑driven opportunities (e.g. optimisation, automation, forecasting, decision support).
  • Develop clear problem statements, business cases, and value hypotheses for proposed initiatives.
  • Communicate complex analytical concepts in simple, business‑friendly language.
• Data Science & Analytics
  • Explore, clean, and analyse logistics and operational datasets (e.g. transport, warehousing, routing, inventory, order flows).
  • Build and validate analytical and machine learning models (e.g. demand forecasting, route optimisation support, anomaly detection, capacity planning).
  • Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations and measurable KPIs.
  • Design and prototype GenAI use cases relevant to logistics (e.g. intelligent assistants for planners, document summarisation, knowledge retrieval, report generation).
  • Work with LLMs and related tooling (prompt engineering, RAG, fine‑tuning or adaptation) to create practical, production‑oriented solutions.
  • Assess feasibility, risks, and data/privacy considerations for GenAI initiatives.
• Delivery & Stakeholder Management
  • Structure and manage small consulting engagements or workstreams from discovery through to proof‑of‑concept / pilot.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations, workshops, and demos to senior stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with engineering/IT teams to hand over solutions for industrialisation where required.

Required Experience & Skills

• Consulting & Business Skills
  • Proven experience in a client‑facing data role (e.g. data science consultant, analytics consultant, or similar).
  • Strong ability to understand business processes, ask the right questions, and uncover improvement opportunities.
  • Comfortable working with non‑technical stakeholders, facilitating workshops, and driving alignment on priorities.
• Data & Analytics
  • Solid background in data science / advanced analytics, including: Data exploration, feature engineering, and model development.
  • Experience with Python (preferred) and common data/ML libraries (e.g. pandas, scikit‑learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow or similar).
  • Strong SQL skills and experience working with relational databases or data warehouses.
  • Ability to translate analytical outputs into clear business insights and recommendations.
• GenAI
  • Hands‑on experience with generative AI / LLMs (e.g. OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, or similar).
  • Experience with: Prompt design and evaluation. Building prototypes or PoCs using LLM APIs. Understanding of RAG, fine‑tuning, or similar techniques is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrable experience in logistics / supply chain / transportation (e.g. parcel delivery, 3PL, warehousing, fleet operations, last‑mile, linehaul).
  • Familiarity with typical logistics KPIs, constraints, and processes (e.g. route planning, network design, capacity utilisation, service levels, cost‑to‑serve).

Nice to Have

• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) for data and AI workloads.
• Exposure to optimisation tools or OR techniques (e.g. routing, scheduling, network optimisation).
• Experience working with BI/visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, Looker).
• Prior work in large‑scale logistics networks or e‑commerce fulfilment environments.

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities, duties, or activities that are required. Responsibilities, duties, and/or activities may change, or new ones may be added at any time with or without notice. If you are a motivated professional with a passion for delivering impactful solutions, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of a dynamic and forward‑thinking team at Straive.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Straive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.