Data-Driven Engineering Leader
Proven Growth & Efficiency in Retail & Fashion
Over the past three years, I have led diverse global engineering teams spanning the Americas, Asia, and Europe, driving over $XXM in annual business impact. My leadership was recognized in 2024 when my team FEOPS (Feature Engineering of AI Operations) was named one of DataIQ’s Global Top 10 Best Data and Analytics Teams. Key achievements include launching a global feature store that reduced cross-region communication time by 50% and delivering a modern GCP analytics platform foundational for a 160-year-old retailer.
I prioritize fostering an inclusive and creative team culture, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and strong stakeholder engagement. Weekly activities such as cloud gaming sessions and team awards, including custom L*vis Trucker Jackets for top contributors, create a fun and rewarding environment that motivates and empowers team members.
By combining a clear business focus with a commitment to team cohesion, I ensure exceptional results and long-term growth, both for the organizations I work with and the individuals I lead.
Global Top 10 Best Data and Analytics Team
1. Quantifiable Business Impact:
- Economic Contributions
In fiscal year FS23, the FEOPS team spearheaded innovations generating over $xx.x million in profits, akin to selling an extra 2.5 million denim jeans. This monumental achievement spanned essential functions like pricing, promotions, and customer experience, showcasing our pivotal role in reshaping the retail fashion industry.
- Cost Savings and Efficiency
Our innovations, particularly the Analytics Reporting Center and Feature Store, saved the company $x.x million annually. We've cut data processing costs by 70%, equating to the savings involved in manufacturing 1 million fewer T-shirts each year.
2. Innovative Data Impacts:
- Feature Store Implementation
Our GCP Feature Store has redefined data management, reducing operational bottlenecks by 45% and speeding up Data Science model deployments by 50%. This has substantially increased our agility and ability to adapt to market demands.
- AI-Designed Fashion Collection
"The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name" is an innovative fashion line I initiated as the commerce pillar lead of the LGBTQIA+ ERG "Unlabeled." Collaborating with a team, including Georgina (formerly Grzegorz), we combined AI, historical art, and literature to create a collection that champions gender fluidity and inclusivity, redefining creative expression. Utilizing NLP to analyze texts by Oscar Wilde and Computer Vision to interpret artworks by artists like Caravaggio and Zheng Xie, this collection has not only transformed fashion but also strengthened L*vis commitment to diversity and inclusion, boosting both internal culture and external brand perception.
3. Collaboration with Stakeholders:
Our deep collaboration with L*vis various departments has resulted in innovations that directly address and streamline business needs. The rapid development and deployment of the Feature Store, achieved in just three months by our dedicated engineers, exemplifies our effective and responsive project management, cutting down lead times by 30% and enhancing decision-making across the board.
4. Cohesion and Team Culture:
- Values and Vision
FEOPS is built on the principles of simplicity, unity, and continuous learning. Our team actively promotes diversity and inclusion, making substantial efforts to provide equal opportunities for all team members. Surabhi, a talented female data engineer from India, represents our commitment to challenging gender norms in regions where such progress is most needed. Her success is a beacon for potential female data scientists in similar contexts. Georgina's pivotal role in the "The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name" collection highlights our embrace of diverse identities and perspectives, enriching our team's cultural tapestry.
- Nurturing Talent
We take special care in nurturing the careers of young talents like Guillaume from France. Starting as an intern and rapidly progressing to a near-lead engineer role in just four years, his journey is a testament to FEOPS's dedication to fostering growth and offering substantial career development opportunities to its younger team members.
- Engagement and Recognition
Our team culture is further enriched by regular engagement activities like weekly cloud gaming sessions, which not only offer relaxation but also help build stronger connections among team members. We celebrate achievements such as awarding the 'Seasonal Winner of Best Coding Engineer' with a custom Levi's Trucker Jacket, crafted by me as the team manager, symbolizing both personal recognition and team unity.
Culture-Driven Engineering Team
Keep it Simple.
We value simplicity and clarity, focusing on what truly matters. By avoiding overcomplication, we ensure clear and efficient processes. Less is more, and we strive for streamlined operations.
Continuous Improvement.
We have a relentless drive for improvement. Seeking feedback and acting on it, we continuously learn, adapt, and find better solutions. Even small improvements make a significant difference in achieving our goals.
Straight-forward & open-minded.
Honesty, humility, and open-mindedness are central to our team culture. We reflect on our behaviors, actively listen, and encourage diverse perspectives. While we challenge ideas, once a decision is made, we commit to it, embracing constructive feedback.
We are one team.
Our team is driven by a shared purpose, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We collaborate across boundaries to leverage our skills and knowledge, creating unbeatable customer value.
We believe in people.
We believe in the potential of every individual. We empower and trust each other, embracing diverse perspectives, and fostering personal and professional growth through active listening and continuous learning.
Entrepreneurial spirit.
We foster a strong business mindset, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and adaptability to meet customers' changing needs. Our innovative and flexible approach delivers exceptional customer experiences and drives business success.
Cost-conscious.
We prioritize responsible resource management, making sustainable choices, and creating value for money. By considering our resource usage, we strive to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to all.
Keep fast learning.
We embrace a culture of fast learning. In a rapidly evolving world, we proactively adapt, acquire new knowledge and skills, and seek opportunities for personal and team growth.
Team Building Timeline
EU Data Engineer Team - Jun. 2020
In June 2020, I commenced as the inaugural European Data Engineer in Brussels, initiating an EU data lake for data science projects.
EU Data Engineer Team - Dec. 2020
Within 6 months, I rose to Senior Data Engineer, leading a 15-member multinational team, boosting the EU Data Lake with Agile methods.
Global Data Engineer Team - Oct. 2021
10 months later, I became the Global Lead Data Engineer, managing a diverse 18-member team, and driving Agile collaboration across EU and US continents with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and stakeholders.
Global Data Engineer Team - Oct. 2022
A year after that, I ascended to Global Data/Feature Engineering Manager, expanding to 15 team members, integrating the AMA region, and spearheading enterprise-level feature support for data science predictions and business value.
Data team at N Br*wn Group - Oct. 2024
As Head of Data Engineering at N Br*wn's Group, I led a multidisciplinary team of 20+ individual contributors across Data Architect, Data Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, Platform DevOps, and Front-end Analytics Engineering.
Despite a budget freeze, headcount cuts, redundancies, and my manager’s departure within four months, I stabilized a collapsing team on day one, redirected two £20M projects in two months, and, partnering with Datatonic, delivered a modern GCP analytics platform for this 160-year-old UK retailer within three months.