Lead Machine Learning Engineer

hackajob is collaborating with Kingfisher to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. We’re Kingfisher, a team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas - to life. We want to become the leading home improvement company and grow the largest community of home improvers in the world.

At Kingfisher, our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We want to ensure that all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants to Kingfisher are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. We are open to flexible and agile working hours and locations. Therefore, we offer colleagues a blend of working from home and our offices. Talk to us about how we can best support you!

We are looking for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer to join our Data Science team, to lead the research and development process of ML/AI services developed in the Group Data Science team. You will trailblaze the development of data science algorithms, while building, leading, nurturing and retaining a high performing data science team working on banner as well as group priorities.

• Lead the implementation of data science projects and data science approaches to support commercial goals.
• Develop a highly proficient team of Machine Learning Engineers, establishing collaborative ways of working.
• Collaborate with tech, product and data teams to develop the data platforms that allow us to apply data science and embed the use of data science directly in our products and processes.
• Support diverse teams in translating between business and data in the design of project work, and in the synthesis and communication of recommendations and results.
• Be a champion and role model for the application of data science across the Kingfisher group.
• Support the data leadership team in developing a “data culture” and demonstrating the value of data in our decision making.
• Lead our efforts to develop the data science (and broader customer analytics) “brand” at Kingfisher for both internal and external audiences.

Proven experience delivering high-quality AI-based products and productionisation of Machine Learning based products. Proven experience developing cloud-based machine learning services using one or more cloud providers (preferably GCP). Excellent understanding of classical Machine Learning algorithms (e.g. Logistic Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, etc.) and modern Deep Learning algorithms (e.g. BERT, LSTM, etc.). Strong knowledge of SQL and Python's ecosystem for data analysis (Jupyter, Pandas, Scikit Learn, Matplotlib). Strong software development skills (Python is the preferred language). Proven experience in deploying ML/AI services using Kubernetes & KubeFlow. Strong management and leadership skills – previous experience managing a team. Strong influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Be Customer Focused – constantly improving our customers’ experience. We listen to our customers and colleagues. We innovate products and experiences to stay ahead.

Be Human – leading with purpose, humanity and care. We do the right thing. We invest in our people and build great teams.

Be Curious – thrive on learning, thinking beyond the obvious. We focus externally, globally and build the long term. We experiment and share our learnings.

Be Agile – building trust and empowering people to work with agility. We act with pace, not perfection, role modelling 80/20. We take risks, fail fast and adapt quickly.

Be Inclusive – inspiring diverse teams to achieve together. We celebrate difference as a strength. We collaborate, breaking down silos.

Be Accountable – owning the plan, delivering results and growth. We focus on performance outcomes. We prioritise and simplify for others.

At Kingfisher, we value the perspectives that any new team members bring, and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply for one of our roles even if you do not feel you meet 100% of the requirements. In return, we offer an inclusive environment, where what you can achieve is limited only by your imagination! We encourage new ideas, actively support experimentation, and strive to build an environment where everyone can be their best self. We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.