Lead Data Scientist (7203)

No matter where you are in your career – or where you want to be – we’re here to create a great place to work where you can grow, perform and love what you do. At Cromwell, we’re all individuals, with unique backgrounds and personalities. But we have one thing in common: delivering exceptional service for our customers. And we do this through our purpose of Keeping Industry Working.

As the Lead Data Scientist at Cromwell, you will occupy a pivotal leadership position, turning complex data landscapes into competitive advantages. Reporting directly to the Chief Digital Officer, you will oversee a high-performing squad of three Data Scientists and a Data Engineer.

Your mission is to move beyond experimentation and deliver production-grade automation and AI solutions. Whether it is revolutionizing how we merchandise products or optimizing the physical movement of goods in our warehouses, you will be the bridge between cutting‑edge algorithmic theory and tangible commercial ROI.

Key Responsibilities

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• Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a team of 4 (Data Scientists & Data Engineer), fostering a culture of technical excellence and "fail-fast" innovation.
  
• Strategic Automation: Lead the development of traditional ML models and modern AI tooling to automate Merchandising & Content workflows and enhance Warehouse Efficiency.
  
• Project Management: Own the data science roadmap. You will manage project lifecycles from ideation and scoping to deployment, ensuring deadlines and "target-driven" KPIs are met.
  
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner closely with the Digital Development team and a dedicated MLOps Engineer to ensure models are scalable, monitored, and integrated into the core business infrastructure.
  
• Executive Communication: Translate complex technical outcomes into commercial insights for stakeholders at all levels, including the Executive Board.
  
• Continuous Improvement: Constantly interrogate existing processes to find "marginal gains" in model accuracy and operational throughput.
  

What are we looking for?

The Profile

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• Inquisitive Problem Solver: You don’t just build models; you seek to understand the underlying business problem and find the most efficient route to a solution.
  
• Self-Starter: You thrive with high levels of autonomy and are comfortable setting the pace for your team.
  
• Pragmatic Leader: You balance the desire for "perfect" science with the "commercial" need for delivery and speed-to-market
  

Experience & Technical Skills

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• Proven Track Record: Significant experience in Data Science roles, with a clear history of moving models into a production environment.
  
• Technical Breadth: Expert proficiency in Python/R, SQL, and traditional ML (Regression, Clustering, NLP) alongside modern Generative AI/LLM applications.
  
• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to link data science projects to P&L improvements (e.g., reducing warehouse overheads or increasing digital conversion).
  
• Architectural Understanding: Familiarity with the end-to-end data pipeline, working alongside MLOps to ensure robust CI/CD for ML.
  

What’s in it for you?

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• Competitive annual leave allowance with annual purchase scheme
  
• Company Funded Healthcare Cash Plan
  
• Company bonus
  
• Cycle to work scheme
  
• Commitment to employee development plans
  
• 24/7 Wellbeing and Employee Support
  

Other benefits include: Company Sick Pay, Company Maternity & Paternity Pay, Discount Benefits Platform and Discounted Cromwell Products.

Cromwell has been around for over 50 years, supplying an unrivalled choice of cutting tools, power tools, hand tools and safety equipment into all industries, professions and trades. We offer next day delivery or collection from our nationwide branch network, supported by an overnight UK logistics operation. Our team of over 1500 people are proud to be keeping industry working.

We’re all individuals, yet we’re very much one united team. We treat everyone fairly – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, background, age or disability – and give everyone opportunities for new and varied experiences. Inclusion means not just accepting people for who they are, but showing respect and making adjustments to help people and remove all barriers; it’s about creating a culture where everyone is respected, empowered and able to realise their full potential.

Cromwell is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are also committed to offering applicants from the armed forces community (current and past) an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

We always prefer to recruit candidates direct to our business and first, and foremost believe in promoting talent from within whenever possible.

We do not accept speculative approaches including CVs and candidate profiles sent direct to Managers, by receipt of any such email or correspondence, we do not agree to terms and conditions. Any speculative CVs will be considered our own and we will not pay any agency fees.

We have a PSL and those on this will have access to our portal to accept CVs. Should you want to be considered for our PSL, please