Data Platform Lead Engineer (Data operations and AI enablement)

at  Mars

JOB DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking an experienced Lead Data Platform Engineer to join our team and take on a crucial role in managing a group of talented engineers. As the Lead Data Platform Engineer, you will be responsible for overseeing data platform engineering and core toolsets, with a focus on Azure infrastructure as code. You will ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of our data infrastructure while playing a pivotal part in shaping our data ecosystem and driving innovation within our organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned data engineer or advanced analytics engineer to step into a leadership role, shape our data infrastructure, and drive innovation in a dynamic and collaborative environment. If you are a passionate data engineer with strong leadership skills and expertise in Azure, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our dedicated global team of talented professionals and make a real impact on our Petcare data and analytics platform and make a better world for pets.
What are we looking for?

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 5-10 years of experience in leading technical engineering teams and delivering and owning objectives.
• Proven experience in data platform engineering, including the design, development, and optimisation of data infrastructure.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and mentor a team of engineers effectively.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Scala.
• Expertise in Azure cloud services and infrastructure as code (e.g., Azure Resource Manager templates, Terraform).
• Strong understanding of data platform KPIs and accountability for delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience working in a product-based approach within specific technical domains and as part of a wider team.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Knowledge of the Inner Source paradigm and way of working.
• Experience with containerisation and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• AI platform experience (enabling models and deployment)
• Knowledge of cloud technologies and virtual networking.
• Familiarity with other cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud).

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Define and own the data platform strategy and roadmap for the technical domains, aligned with the overall Petcare data and analytics platform strategy and Petcare strategy.
• Ensure inner sourcing of platform capabilities across all divisions and regions, fostering reuse and collaboration.
• Track and optimise the work done by the platform engineers within your domain.

Platform Delivery & Evolution (within your domain):

• Lead the delivery of platform capabilities, ensuring scalability, performance, and security. Being “hands on” as needed.
• Drive the yearly plans for the domain, ensuring alignment with the wider Petcare strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Director and other domain leads, and architects to maintain alignment and productivity.

Stakeholder Management:

• Along with other senior members of the team partner with D&A Leaders, engineering leads, analytics product leads, and data science leads across all divisions and regions to ensure platform capabilities meet the needs of Petcare globally.
• Collaborate across a complex and occasionally ambiguous Digital Technology organisation structure, using influence to achieve alignment and strategic outcomes.
• Act as the key point of contact for the domain’s platform KPIs, ensuring alignment on cost management, innovation, risk reduction, and value enablement at scale, while reporting progress and outcomes to senior leadership up to the CDO.

Governance & Accountability:

• Establish strong governance processes to ensure alignment of platform capabilities across divisions

What can you expect from Mars?
Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

• Establish strong governance processes to ensure alignment of platform capabilities across division