Manager, Data Science (Search Ranking)

TL;DR

Manager, Data Science (Search Ranking): Leading the Search Ranking team to improve precision and personalization of search results for a global delivery platform with an accent on Learning-to-Rank (L2R) and MLOps. Focus on scaling ML algorithms under strict latency constraints and integrating agentic AI tools to increase engineering velocity.

Location: Hybrid in Berlin, Germany (2 days/week in office). Relocation support available.

Company

World's pioneering local delivery platform operating in around 65 countries worldwide.

What you will do

• Lead a squad of 4-7 Data Scientists, driving growth, development, and a culture of scientific excellence.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to build strategic roadmaps balancing core product initiatives and scientific innovation.
• Guide the team in productionizing models using MLOps and Data Engineering tools, ensuring low latency and robustness.
• Advocate for the use of agentic tools and AI assistants (e.g., Claude Code) to streamline the data science lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership in model evaluation, architecture discussions, and code reviews.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• 2+ years of leadership experience specifically in the search or recommendation domain.
• Practical experience with Learning-to-Rank (L2R), personalization, and modern AI/ML techniques.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with experience in MLOps frameworks (e.g., Metaflow, MLflow).
• English: Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Nice to have

• Publication record in top-tier conferences such as SIGIR, RecSys, or KDD.
• Experience operating search or recommendation systems in e-commerce, two-sided marketplaces, or food delivery.
• Experience integrating LLMs and agentic workflows into machine learning lifecycles.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work model with face-to-face collaboration in the Berlin campus 2 days a week.
• 27 days holiday with increases based on years of service.
• €1,000 Educational Budget, language courses, and access to Udemy Business.
• Health checkups, meditation, and gym & bicycle subsidies.
• Employee Share Purchase Plan, corporate pension, and digital meal vouchers.