Team Lead Data Scientist

Wat is jouw rol?

As a Team Lead Data Scientist 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 our mission to create the automated and sustainable farm of the future.

With only 3% of worldwide dairy farms robotized, the opportunities are limitless. We help make the life of dairy farmers more enjoyable and sustainable as one of the most innovative Dutch international companies.

At Lely you will face a big variety of meaningful challenges, such as:

• Can we predict and optimize the influence of certain types of nutrition on milk quality?
• What type of advice can we generate for the farmer to run their farm more efficiently?
• How can we run AI experiments to learn fast?
• What is the best way to support the competency development of our data scientists and AI experts?
• How can we drive and scale our AI solutions towards the Field and within Lely?
• Where should Lely invest in AI next, and which developments in the field should we actively follow?

It is your task to develop the best performing team possible. To make this happen, you lead by example, but also coach, inspire, and develop your team members. Your team is part of the Data & AI competence (>70 FTE) and works across all five different Business Teams within Lely. For example, within Digital Farming we aim to help the farmer and other advisors make the best data-driven decisions every day in farm management. For BT Milking, we develop 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 our stakeholders and our 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 our 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 you know what is out there. You would like to make a real difference and build on a shared dream in a strong, innovative, and family-culture company. If you want to really make a change, this is for you.

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 the personal development of your 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, including 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 disaster 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 we ensure 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 outstanding sports facilities at the Lely Campus: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, and table football. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Fresh coffee and tea from our own barista, with milk from our own farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.

Work-life balance

• A healthy work-life balance thanks to our 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 between 06:00 and 20:00.
• A free shuttle bus that takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis, ensuring your workday starts and ends smoothly.
• And of course: we love to celebrate, whether it’s an anniversary or the annual Christmas party. At Lely, we know how to do it.

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, we develop high-quality robots and data systems that improve animal welfare, flexibility, and productivity on dairy farms. Our mission is to support sustainable food production.