Description
We are looking for a Site Operations AI & Automation Manager to join the Developments team within our eCommerce department and drive AI innovation forward! Based at NEXT Head Office in Leicestershire!
The eCommerce Developments team are responsible for implementing, testing, and building on the UX designs plus the requirements of our partnered brands and the overall content of the website.
As a Site Operations AI & Automation Manager, you will lead a hands-on team designing, building, and shipping production-grade AI workflows using Python, LLMs, and the Google Cloud stack to solve high-value operational problems. Partnering with the site operations and across the wider eCommerce team, you will set technical direction, ensure platform health, drive root cause fixes for major incidents and issues to prevent recurrence, and uphold high engineering standards for durable overall output.
Responsibilities:
- Technical Leadership & Delivery:
- Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of production-grade AI and automation solutions across site operations.
- Stay hands-on, building high-complexity components while setting standards for code reviews, testing, CI/CD, and monitoring.
- Make pragmatic stack decisions (Python, LLM providers, Vertex AI, BigQuery) and lead incident response for workflow failures.
- AI & Automation Engineering:
- Design robust LLM-based workflows, including prompt engineering, evaluation, RAG, embeddings, and human-in-the-loop patterns.
- Translate business pain points into well-scoped technical solutions, pushing back on low-value requests and measuring commercial impact.
- Drive an automation-first culture backed by a solid understanding of eCommerce environments.
- Engineering Depth & Technical Stack:
- Proven track record of shipping scalable production AI systems, not just prototypes or scripts.
- Strong working knowledge of the Google Cloud ecosystem (Vertex AI, BigQuery, Cloud Run, Apps Script) to compose pipeline architectures.
Requirements:
- Proven ability to design, implement, and scale efficient automation scripts and workflows, primarily using Python, to reduce manual effort, enhance efficiency, and minimise errors.
- Comfortable developing and maintaining frameworks, have the self-start to create and manage change on key best practices.
- Comfortable with Python, SQL, and AI tools with automation to give insights and consult others.
- Must have hands-on experience consuming and interpreting APIs and a working knowledge of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS) for effective troubleshooting.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical outputs and automation impact (time saved, risk reduced) into clear, business-focused insights for stakeholders at all levels.
- Must be a strong collaborator focused on driving results through automation and agentic workflows.
Benefits:
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE, Lipsy, Gap, and Victoria's Secret products
- Company performance-based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access to a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track, and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and in-store, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions, and more