Skills

Python Decision-making Research Machine Learning Strategic Planning Data Science Mathematics

Job Specifications

Data Science Manager / Principal Data Scientist / Lead Data Scientist - METAHEURISTICS

x3 days a week in a London office (flexible working supported)

We’re partnering with one of the UK's leading brands (who have AI and data science embedded across its operations) in their search for a very specialist hire. The company’s central data function supports decision-making across logistics, fulfilment, retail, and strategic planning, with growing investment in intelligent optimisation and automation. This role sits within the advanced optimisation capability, focused on solving complex planning and scheduling problems at scale.

Where the role differs from the typical Logistics & Operations vacancies out there (which they also have in-house) is their commitment to, and specific need for, a Metaheuristics specialist (who ideally would help manage / guide other PhD & post-doc specialists in this area). The right person will have applied Metaheuristics to a range of commercial problems at scale.

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead a cross-functional team of data scientists focused on operational research and optimisation use cases
Guide the design, development, and deployment of advanced optimisation models using metaheuristics to solve large-scale, real-world scheduling and routing challenges
Oversee the delivery of reusable components and tooling for common optimisation workflows, supporting both static and dynamic scenarios
Translate high-level business priorities into technical roadmaps, working closely with engineering, data, and product teams
Review and unblock technical approaches, mentor team members on model formulation, and help embed optimisation thinking across the broader data organisation
Contribute to productionisation efforts, ensuring optimisation models integrate seamlessly with wider systems and services
Advocate for best practices in experiment design, code quality, and explainability across optimisation solutions
Represent the team in cross-departmental forums, clearly communicating model impact to technical and non-technical stakeholders

What They’re Looking For

Significant experience working with applied metaheuristics, both from a theoretical and practical deployment standpoint. You'll likely come from an academic / post-doc focus in this area.
Background in operational research, applied mathematics, or a similar discipline with direct experience working on routing, scheduling, bin packing, or similar large combinatorial problems
Proven ability to lead technical teams and influence delivery in complex environments
Strong proficiency in Python and experience working with optimisation libraries and frameworks
Familiarity with integrating optimisation pipelines into production environments and working with engineering teams on real-world scaling
A track record of mentoring and developing technical talent
Comfortable managing competing demands and trade-offs while keeping projects aligned with overall strategy
Bonus: exposure to machine learning or reinforcement learning in conjunction with traditional OR methods

Things we'd love to see (examples):

Genetic algorithms
Tabu search
Simulated annealing
Particle swarm optimisation
Large neighbourhood search
Variable neighbourhood search
Combinatorial optimisation
Vehicle routing problem (VRP)
Job shop scheduling
Bin packing optimisation
Constraint-based metaheuristics
Heuristic solvers
Metaheuristic scheduling algorithms
Multi-objective optimisation (for trade-offs like cost vs time)

If this role interests you and you would like to find out more (or find out about other roles), please apply here or contact us via niall.wharton@Xcede.com (feel free to include a CV for review)

About the Company

Global Technology Recruitment Specialists. We source and select top talent across all technology sectors globally. Founded in 2003, our vertical specialists provide global transformational talent in data, AI & machine learning, product, software, cloud and cyber. As part of the Xcede Group, we work with businesses, from pioneering start-ups to global brands, to find project-based or permanent talent that enables innovation in line with their vision and goals. Know more