Engineering Manager - Hawthorn East

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

As the way Australians shop continues to evolve, our Data and AI Team keep Coles at the forefront of modern retail. We combine data, artificial intelligence, and applied engineering to reimagine how our stores, supply chain, and digital channels operate — creating smarter, more connected, and seamless experiences for our customers and team members.

Operating as a centralised development and enablement function within Coles Technology, the team unites product, engineering, and platform capabilities to deliver the intelligence layer of the enterprise. We serve every part of Coles — from computer vision applications that enhance in-store experiences and reduce loss, to forecasting, optimisation, and decision-support solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and agility across our supply chain, retail operations, and corporate functions.

The scale and impact of this work are significant. Coles serves millions of customers each week across more than a thousand stores nationwide, and our AI and data capabilities provide the intelligence that underpins how we plan, move, sell, and serve. By combining deep data capability with applied AI and modern engineering, we’re enabling Coles to become a truly AI-enabled enterprise, transforming how we operate and how Australia shops every day.

About the role

As an Engineering Manager, you'll lead a domain-specific, multi-disciplinary team comprised of data, machine learning, DevOps and software engineers to deliver on our data and AI roadmap. You'll be responsible for ensuring that AI and data engineering efforts deliver measurable business value, through agile ways of working and a focus on engineering practises.

You’ll work alongside curious, likeminded individuals across Coles who are passionate about AI innovation and experimentation, in an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.

Key Impact and Responsibilities

• The Engineering Manager leads the design, development, and delivery of complex, scalable AI/ML and data solutions. Projects can range from computer vision applications that enhance in-store experiences to forecasting, optimisation, and decision-support solutions that drive efficiency across our supply chain and retail operations.
• You will take a product led approach to engineering, partnering with Product Managers, Architects, Security, and other technology partners to delivery on the strategic roadmap.
• You’ll lead and grow a high-performing team and drive delivery excellence by:
• Leading the design and development of complex, scalable, high-performance AI/ML and data solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes
• Partnering with Product Managers to translate business objectives into data and AI solutions through prioritisation, planning, and managing competing resource demands
• Collaborating with technology partners across architecture, security, and other technology teams to drive delivery outcomes
• Defining modern engineering practises, embedding them in the team and their ways of working, and embarking on a journey of continuous improvement. Constantly reflecting on ways of working to drive increased delivery outcomes
• Implementing modern DevOps practices, CI/CD, and robust QA processes that enable continuous, iterative, and reliable value delivery
• Recruiting, mentoring, and retaining top-tier engineering talent through structured career development programs and clear progression paths, providing coaching, mentoring and upskilling
• Fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement, encouraging the exploration of new tools, technologies, and strategies

About You and Your Skills

We’re looking for an Engineering Manager with experience managing product led ML and/or data engineering teams.

You'll bring the ability to institute change and uplift ways of working, driving cultural and technical transformation within the engineering team. Educating, coaching and upskilling your team, and providing opportunities for continuous learning will be integral to your role. You'll define modern engineering practices, embed them in the team, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

You'll have experience working in product-led organisations focused on continuous iteration and value delivery. This will be reflected in your experience with Agile delivery models, building software and ML/AI solutions following a modern SDLC built around automation and CI/CD.

Further, you’ll have:

• Proven experience in the data and AI domain, particularly in building, developing, and supporting production-grade AI solutions
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams (including ML Engineers, Software Engineers, and Data Engineers) while collaborating effectively with partners such as product managers, security specialists, and architects
• Strong product mindset, with the capability to translate business objectives into practical, scalable technical solutions

While our technology stack is constantly evolving, at present it consists of:

• Cloud Platform: Azure (AKS, Foundry, AML)
• Infrastructure & DevOps: Docker, Terraform, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines
• Languages: Python, R, TypeScript (React)
• Data Engineering: DataBricks, Snowflake, DBT
• Machine Learning: PyTorch, scikit-learn, MLOps practices
• AI Frameworks: LangChain, Semantic Kernel
• Development Practices: Agile, GitOps, CI/CD, IaC, Microservice Architecture

We recognise that candidates will bring diverse combinations of skills and experience. While experience with these specific tools is valuable, we're equally interested in your ability to learn, adapt, and lead teams through technological change. We encourage you to apply if you have experience with similar tools and are passionate about technology, innovation, and developing high-performing engineering teams.

Additionally, we are not just looking for someone with technical or leadership skills and expertise, we value cultural fit and we value diversity in the team in the pursuit of excellence and innovation.

General Skills

• Building strong collaborative relationships and effectively communicating technical concepts across teams with diverse backgrounds and skillsets
• Passionate about developing engineers and sharing best practices in software development, data engineering, and MLOps
• Comfortable with agile ways of working, balancing the need for quality with near-term business benefit
• Demonstrating empathy and strong interpersonal skills, with a genuine interest in people growth and career development
• Good understanding of software architecture and enterprise integration patterns

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 174591

Employment Type: Full time