Lead Data Scientist

Wat is jouw rol?

As a Lead Data & AI for Data Science and AI, you are responsible for generating value with predictive modelling and AI by using data from 30,000 active robots and systems in the field, all integrated in the cloud. In this position, you will guide the Data Science & AI team in the mission to create the automated and sustainable farm of the future.

In this role, you will face a wide variety of meaningful challenges, such as:

• Predicting and optimizing the influence of certain types of nutrition on milk quality.
• Generating advice for farmers to run their farms more efficiently.
• Running AI experiments to learn fast.
• Supporting the competency development of data scientists and AI experts.
• Driving and scaling AI solutions towards the field and within Lely.
• Determining where to invest in AI next and which developments in the field to actively follow.

It is your task to develop the best performing team possible. To make this happen, you lead by example, and also coach, inspire and develop your team members. Your team is part of the Data & AI competence and works across all 5 different Business Teams within Lely. For example, within Digital Farming the aim is to help farmers and other advisors make the best data-driven decisions every day in farm management. For BT Milking, the team develops intelligent features that become part of the milking robot.

The team consists of 8 internal data scientists and more than 10 external colleagues. They all work on several projects together with other disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead, grow and develop the Data Science & AI team within Data & AI.
• Give direction and provide input for the integrated product roadmap by collaborating with the other Data & AI leads and the Business Teams.
• Take multi-disciplinary responsibility as part of the Product Development Leadership team and the Data & AI MT.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and the data science partner company.
• Bring the technical and soft skills of the Data Science & AI team to a higher level and increase the impact and adoption of these areas in the Business Teams.
• Set the direction for evolving the Data & AI infrastructure together with Data Engineering.
• Drive the growth of AI knowledge and development within and outside the Data & AI competence.
• Shape the Data Science & AI strategy: where to invest, which technologies and AI developments to adopt or deliberately follow, and what is feasible and meaningful to build and what to procure.

How can agentic AI change our products – and the way we build them?

You have proven experience as a Data Science & AI lead and know what is happening in the field. You want to make a real difference and build on a shared dream in a strong, innovative and family culture company.

Wat is jouw ervaring?

• A quantitative background with a Master’s degree in fields such as Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Econometrics or Informatics.
• Proven leadership experience in leading people and HR responsibility.
• Clear focus on personal development of team members.
• Analytical thinking and a results-oriented way of working.
• 5+ years of experience with Data Science & AI and machine learning in business or industry.
• Hands-on experience with Data Science & AI tools and architecture, such as Python and Databricks.
• Strong grasp of the Data Science & AI technology landscape: ability to judge feasibility, challenge technical choices and spot the field’s developments that matter.
• Able to switch between long-term strategic thinking and short-term result focus.
• Good communication and strong coaching skills.
• No distaster for cows 😊

And it would be great if you have:

• Experience with Azure and Databricks.
• Experience in running genAI / agentic AI applications in production at scale, for example Assistants.

Wat bieden wij jou?

Working at Lely means contributing to sustainable progress within one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You help make the agricultural sector more futureproof, and Lely ensures you have the space, resources, and support to do so.

• An international work environment that values collaboration, initiative, and diverse perspectives.
• A culture that encourages learning, experimentation, and ownership of ideas.
• Excellent employment conditions, including up to 8 weeks of vacation per year and a strong pension scheme.
• Full ownership of your own development, with access to a wide range of courses through the Lely Academy.
• Daily access to sports facilities at the Lely Campus, including an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, and table football.
• Fresh coffee and tea from the barista and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.

Work-life balance

• A healthy work-life balance thanks to the hybrid working policy: you work at least three days a week on Campus, with flexible hours and plenty of opportunity to spend additional time onsite.
• A free shuttle bus that takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis.
• Lely also values celebrating milestones and events together.

Over Lely

Lely is committed to creating a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future in agriculture. Driven by the challenges farmers face and the needs of cows, the company develops high-quality robots and data systems that improve animal welfare, flexibility, and productivity on dairy farms. Its mission is to support sustainable food production.

Lely is a global leader in the sales and service of automated systems for dairy farmers. With the Lely Campus in Maassluis and a worldwide network of Lely Centers offering tailored sales and service, Lely operates in more than fifty countries.