Head of Data Science at Woolworths

About the job
MAIN PURPOSE

• To support the Chief Data and Analytics Officer in ensuring that DnA Use Cases are properly managed under an appropriate control framework. Accountabilities further include:
• Driving and managing the DnA Use Cases agenda in the Woolworths business through the management of a team of Data Scientists who focus on developing and maintaining leading edge analytical driven strategies to optimise the business.
• Advising on the Use Case portfolio at an enterprise level.
• Define, optimise, and implement the Use Case business cases.
• Ensure alignment to business and DnA strategy; and
• Lead, manage and develop a team of data scientists.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide Strategic Leadership
• Stay abreast of industry trends and role players and ensure the DnA team and DnA Office is well positioned to provide competitive and industry leading services.
• Set and communicate a long term DnA strategy that clearly articulates strategic targets and metrics to align the delivery of CRO against Woolworths strategic objectives and targets and broader Group expectations.
• Benchmark DnA business across industry and identify possible opportunities and benefits.
• Utilise and analyse industry knowledge and trends as well as customer and consumer feedback to improve business performance.
• Provide expertise into the strategic decisioning on technology choice, capital expansion and business improvement initiatives.
• Participate in analysis of strategy performance and initiatives including departmental initiatives to continuously seek improvements in business strategies, policies, systems and procedures.
• Financial analysis of strategy performance and to ensure alignment with overall business strategy.

Operating Plan

• Drive the overall delivery of the operating plan and provide direction and guidance to the DnA team to ensure that milestones are achieved, and overall plan is delivered within the agreed timeline.
• Translate and interpret technical data to ensure appropriate business intelligence is incorporated into management thinking and decision making.

Optimisation

• Introduce new opportunities to optimise the alignment of strategy/growth/payment/target deliverables and drive the effective identification, funding and resourcing of new change initiatives
• Ensure Management Information (MI) in place or is developed to monitor strategy performance and effective implementation/adherence by quality checking MI teams reports.
• Contribute positively to work group deliverables in line with EXCO expectations.
• Enhance the quality of existing decisions to optimise the risk/reward balance and identify ways in which to reduce costs through operationally efficient planning and strategic thinking
• Drive Business Performance
• Influence, manage and integrate into the business, a clear and measurable Strategy.
• Translate this strategy into a clear DnA policy and implement, manage, monitor and recommend changes to the policy.
• Liaise with and provide input into other departments to facilitate efficient implementation and execution of DnA policies.
• Develop and implement operating plans in line with DnA management strategies, policies and procedures.
• Compile short and long term business DnA action plans (comprising of education and awareness, control testing, problem resolution, audit preparation and pre-issue assurance assessments etc.)
• Plans have to ensure that the DnA environment is tested, enhanced and effectively managed.
• Provide the Chief Data and Analytics Officer with support covering the strategy, value-add change initiatives, training, portfolio management, policies, procedures, processes and products.
• Review the business models for the monitoring and control processes with a view of streamlining and automating processes, procedures, etc.
• Customise models and monitor the development and implementation of the required models.
• Oversee conformance tests to ensure compliance with agreed policies.
• Analyse and test compliance to; conditions of sanction, monitoring and control, etc.; to maintain the quality of the DnA profile of the portfolios.

Reporting and Tracking

• Develop, implement and ensure appropriate reporting and/or tracking tools (dashboards, decks, forums etc.) in place.
• Drive the development and tracking of tactical plans and scoreboards and take corrective actions where required.
• Produce accurate and timeous reporting and presentations of analysis on DnA results and operational activities.
• Review the business models for the monitoring and control processes with a view of streamlining and automating processes, procedures, etc.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to the process owners or product team to ensure adequate internal control by supporting the development teams.
• Manage an effective, value-adding DnA Forum meeting, adhering to ToR/governance requirements
• Manage a server structure and project repository to ensure for BCM and maintain own/team projects, documentation etc.
• Demonstrate consideration/awareness/adherence to policy and ensure appropriate sign-off processes.
• Review the business models for the monitoring and control processes with a view of streamlining and automating processes, procedures, etc. Serve as a subject matter expert to the process owners or product team to ensure adequate internal control by supporting the development teams.
• Relationship and Stakeholder Management
• Identify strategic role players and stakeholders and engage all stakeholders, role-players and industry forums to understand changes to strategy, regulations and markets.
• Liaise with and provide input into other departments to facilitate efficient implementation and execution of DnA policies.
• Conduct regular interactions with stakeholders to ensure best practice thinking and sharing are considered for the group.
• Secure support from internal stakeholders to deliver operating plan and DnA strategies. Continuously monitor service levels and implement strategic measures to improve customer satisfaction and overall profitability.

Staff and Talent Management

• Build and manage an effective and dynamic team by embedding formal performance development, recognition and coaching. Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.
• Ensure EE scorecard is maintained and support organisational targets for Employment Equity as and when applicable.
• Work with the team and other stakeholders to achieve desired results through continuous support and mentoring activities to ensure effective delivery of changes, projects and maintenance releases.
• Coach team on how to plan for and perform successful analysis and documentation through various techniques.
• Evaluate and implement training and development needs for team.
• Facilitate the creation of an environment whereby staff can motivate themselves and feel proud of the work they do.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum requirement of a University degree (Commercial, Engineering or Numerical subject based)
• Honours or Masters Degree preferred
• 8 to 10 years Advanced Analytics experience
• 5 to 7 years’ experience in senior management position

TECHNICAL

• DnA Use Case Strategic Management
• Demonstrate competencies and understanding of "how to" develop, implement, manage, monitor and optimize analytical-driven strategies to optimize performance, including understanding of "how to" translate this strategy into a clear DnA policy
• Data Sciences
• Demonstrate competencies and understanding of “how to" develop, implement, manage, monitor and optimize analytical-driven strategies.
• Data Sciences Models
• Needs to evidence knowledge of this specialized field including the "how to" of the development and implementation of analytical models, metrics, matrices and tools.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

• Retail experience preferable
• Project management experience
• Experience in dealing with senior stakeholders
• Experience leading and guiding a diverse team.
• Skilled in Data Science technologies
• Experience in modelling techniques and model development.
• Experience in agile work practices.
• Proven ability in delivering results and meeting stakeholder expectations.
• Proven ability in analytics, commercial thinking and presenting and communicating information.
• Ability to work across a wide range of teams to ensure effective delivery of work streams.
• Experience in leading, developing and motivating an analytical team.
• Experience in financial analysis and excellent numeric skills.
• Proven stakeholder management experience, particularly influencing at senior level.