Data Science Manager - Strategic and Technical Leadership - Visser & Van Baars

A leading player in the Belgian retail sector is looking for an experienced Data Science Manager with a strong technical background. In this role, you will combine strategic thinking with deep expertise in data science and AI to drive innovation and business value.

Your Responsibilities:

As Data Science Manager, you will lead and coach a team of data scientists and machine learning engineers. You are responsible for the team's growth, direction, and performance, while staying hands-on with the technical aspects of AI and MLOps initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coaching the data science team
• Developing and executing the organization's data and AI strategy
• Managing budgets and optimizing team resources
• Collaborating on technical solutions such as ML pipelines, model optimization, and automation
• Acting as a bridge between business, IT, and data teams
• Identifying and implementing innovative AI use cases

Your Profile:

• Strong background in data science or machine learning
• Proven leadership experience in a data-driven environment
• Technically skilled in areas such as MLOps and scalable AI systems
• Strategic mindset with the ability to shape and communicate long-term vision
• Comfortable engaging with both technical and business stakeholders
• Experience in the retail or FMCG sector is a plus

What's in it for you:

A strategic leadership role in an innovation-driven organization where data plays a central role. You'll have the autonomy to shape the AI roadmap and create real impact at scale.