Lead Data Scientist

iO Associates; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a well-funded stealth eCommerce startup as a Data Science Manager in Manchester. This hands-on leadership role will allow you to shape the company's data science initiatives and mentor a growing team while working on innovative projects. If you're experienced in using MLOps principles and tools like Meta's Robyn, this is a unique chance to leave your mark on a new platform focused on data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in data science, ideally within eCommerce.
• Proven ability to lead or mentor a data team.
• Strong technical skills in Python and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the data science function.
• Work on forecasting, marketing performance, and customer segmentation.
• Help productionise models and maintain performance.

Skills

Python

SQL

MLOps

Data Science

eCommerce

Marketing Science

Tools

Robyn

GCP

Job description

Data Science Manager
Up to £85,000
Manchester - Hybrid
Stealth eCommerce Startup

I'm working with a well-funded stealth startup in the eCommerce space that's gearing up for a big launch. They're building a platform that rethinks how online retail works, with data and experimentation at the core of their approach.

They're now hiring a Data Science Manager to take ownership of the data science function. This is a hands-on role with leadership responsibility, ideal for someone who enjoys building and mentoring teams but still wants to stay close to delivery.

You'll be working across key areas like forecasting, marketing performance, customer segmentation and personalisation. A big focus in the early stages will be shaping and improving their marketing mix using Meta's Robyn, so experience using or managing teams that have worked with Robyn is important.

They're also looking for someone with a solid grasp of MLOps principles to help productionise models and maintain performance over time. Their stack includes GCP, so experience working in that environment would be a big plus.

What they're looking for:

• Hands-on experience in data science, ideally within eCommerce, marketing science or another consumer-focused space

• Proven ability to lead or mentor a data team while staying involved in day-to-day technical work

• Strong Python and SQL skills, with experience building models, running experiments and influencing business decisions

• Experience with Robyn (Meta's open-source MMM tool) or managing teams who have used it commercially

• Exposure to MLOps tooling and workflows, including monitoring, deployment and versioning

• Experience deploying on a cloud environment

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, early-stage environment

This is a rare chance to build something from the ground up and shape how data is used across product and growth. You'll be working closely with engineering, marketing and the founding team to scale a modern, data-first platform.

The team is based in Manchester and works flexibly, typically spending a couple of days a week in the office. The culture is collaborative, ambitious and focused on solving real problems with smart, pragmatic solutions.

If this sounds like something you'd like to hear more about, feel free to get in touch. Happy to share more detail.