Head of Data Science

We are Pilgrim's Food Masters, part of the Pilgrim's family since September 2021, (previously part of Kerry Foods) and we have a proud history of developing brilliant food for our customers and consumers that is enjoyed in millions of UK and Irish homesevery year.
The wider Pilgrim's company employs around 60,000 people across the globe and we're one of the world's biggest food companies. We aim to become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for all our teammembers.
Our Pilgrim's Food Masters portfolio includes famous brands that are some of the UK and Irelands Favourites, such as Denny, Galtee, Richmond and Fridge Raiders. We are the UK's biggest producer of prepared meals, making delicious chilled and frozen ready mealsfor every major supermarket in the UK. And our Accelerator business includes newer brands like Rollover Hot Dogs and Oakhouse Foods that target different consumer groups in unique ways.
We strive every day to make Pilgrim's Food Master's a safe, healthy, and happy place to work for all of our 4,500 employees. We will give full and equal consideration to all applicants regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion and sexual orientation.Continuing to build a diverse workforce is fundamental to our business and we value the critical role it plays in creating a truly inclusive workplace
Role Description
At Oakhouse and Rollover we understand that data is the lifeblood of our company. Whilst we've made big leaps in this space, we believe that we still have significant untapped opportunities to use data to drive our business growth harder and to improve ourservice to our customers whilst making our business more efficient through the reduction of costs. As part of the Accelerators Leadership Team, the Head of Data Science & Systems will be accountable for ensuring that our data is used to describe, predict,and optimise the performance of our business leading to transformative changes in business capability and for our customers. - and that the businesses have an appropriate technology stack to support that development. They will play a pivotal role in continuingto transform our Accelerator units of Oakhouse and Rollover into data-driven businesses that leverages data science tools and techniques to uncover the insights, trends and patterns that will drive business growth by using data as a strategic asset.
The role holder will ensure that proactive insight is at the heart of our decision making - fuelled by the democratisation of data, improved data literacy of our people, constant access to the data we need and the ability and inquisitiveness to question, hypothesise,test and learn from data. Put simply, we want to empower our businesses to always make the very best possible decision in the most proactive way. The role holder will also be responsible for the day-to-day line management of the IT delivery and support teamfor the Accelerator businesses.
Reporting to Managing Director Accelerators
Location: Oakhouse Chippenham or Staines
Key Accountabilities
- Use cutting edge data engineering, data science and data visualisation capabilities to identify industry patterns, influence strategy and answer modern business problems at pace
- Use statistical methods and analysis to proactively identify opportunities across Accelerators to develop business impacting change initiatives which enhance customer service & increase profitability
- Work collaboratively with the Accelerators leadership team to capture true business insight requirements, providing clear measures and metrics, and designing simple solutions
- Continue to drive a culture change from reactive to proactive data analytics
- Works to bring together business units, multiple stakeholders and external suppliers to resolve highly technical and complex problems in a way that is actionable and understandable
- Clearly and confidently presents complex analytical results in a simple manner to key stakeholders
- Build and deliver analytical solutions by analysing large and complex data sets using multiple technologies (SQL, Python, Power BI etc)
- Brings creative thought alongside utilisation of data insight to leverage opportunities and drive business decisions
- Responsibility for management of the IT budget and associated supplier relationships
- Responsible for a team of 5, including day-to-day line management of the IT delivery and support team
Skills and Experience
- A strong strategic thinker with the ability to influence the direction of the Accelerator Business and Leadership Team, together with the technical & operational knowledge and expertise to be hands on and dive into detail where needed to ensure customer &stakeholder satisfaction
- Capability of influencing & challenging peers, directors and functional leads to encourage innovation & achieve the best customer & business outcomes
- Pragmatic team player, adept at holding others to account through a challenging and supportive leadership style, whilst consistently delivering on their own commitments
- Demonstrable commercial acumen in a technical environment required to analyse and create opportunities that improve profitability
- Able to present with gravitas and credibility at senior levels
- Experience in designing and building innovative data products
- Advanced skills in Statistics, Machine Learning, Data Modelling, Algorithm Development etc
- Experience processing and querying large volumes of data using SQL or SQL-like languages
- Strong experience with statistical analysis languages such as Python
- Proficient use of Relational DBMS technologies and knowledge of data visualisation fundamentals
- Bachelor's degree in technical engineering or IT related field (or equivalent Experience)
Why Join Pilgrim's Food Masters
Our values are at the heart of our business and drive everything we do. Availability is key as we are receptive and open and prepared to take on new challenges. Humility is important to us as we listen and respect each other and value opinions of others. Disciplineis vital to fulfil commitment internally and externally. We need to be truthful to each other and respectful of other opinions, so Sincerity drives us. At Pilgrim's we focus on what's practical and important so through Simplicity, Ownership and Determinationbrings success. All these core values culminate into our vision which is: To be the best and most respected company in our industry, creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members