Head of Technology - Data & AI Engineering - Hawthorn East

We've been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with 120,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you'll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you'll also get to see your impact.

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

This exciting position within our Data and AI team will be pivotal in architecting and leading the development of scalable, high-performance AI/ML and data solutions.

To be successful in this role, you will aim for the below:

• lead domain-specific squads including software engineers, data engineers, ML engineers, data scientists, and UX designers
• Translate product vision into engineered outcomes, ensuring measurable business value aligned with corporate priorities.
• Integrate AI and ML capabilities into operational systems and applications, embedding intelligence into the way Coles plans, moves, and serves.
• Establish and champion best practices in software, data, and AI engineering — including secure, compliant, and efficient development and deployment.
• Drive automation, tooling, and CI/CD practices to enable reliable, repeatable delivery of AI-powered solutions.
• Ensure all AI and data solutions comply with Coles’ security, privacy, and ethical standards, meeting regulatory obligations and supporting responsible AI governance.
• Collaborate closely with Product and Platform leaders to ensure seamless integration with shared data assets, infrastructure, and services.
• Foster a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement, exploring emerging AI, agentic, and generative capabilities responsibly.
• Make pragmatic build-versus-buy decisions, balancing innovation, cost, and speed to value.

You are a strategic engineering leader who thrives at the intersection of AI, software, and product development. You build bridges across teams — partnering with product, technology, and business leaders to embed intelligence into Coles’ operations at scale.

You combine technical credibility with the ability to inspire, influence, and align diverse stakeholders. Known for fostering engineering excellence and building trusted, high-performing teams, you balance innovation with pragmatism, people with process, and vision with delivery.

Experience required

• Proven years of experience in AI/ML engineering, with a clear progression into management roles.
• Proven ability to design and architect complex scalable AI/ML systems and data pipelines
• Software engineering with app development background – strong programming skills
• Experience with GenAI and agentic workflows
• Significant experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• A blend of software engineering and machine learning experience.
• Experience with cloud data platforms (Snowflake, DataBricks) and reporting tools (Power BI)
• Experience with MLOps practices (CI/CD, model monitoring, etc.).
• Evidence of building AI models and integrating them into business workflows (API management, load management, integration, data security, logging etc)
• Experience in complex corporate environments, retail experience preferred.
• Understanding of delivering under Agile methodology

Commercial Skills and Formal Qualifications

• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Knowledge of data engineering tools and technologies (Spark, Kafka, databases).
• Cloud platform expertise.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Good understanding of software architecture.
• A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Maths, or a related field.

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 hot deals 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: 164945 

Employment Type: Full time 

#LI-MM1