Site Ops & AI Automation Engineer

Job Description

The role

The eCommerce team is recruiting a Site Ops AI & Automation Engineer to join the Developments team and drive AI innovation forward! Based at NEXT Head Office in Leicestershire.

Our 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.

What You'll Take On

As the Site Ops AI & Automation Engineer, you’ll play a key role in transforming our operations by integrating automation and AI into daily workflows. You’ll streamline repetitive tasks, enhance accuracy and accelerate decision-making using cutting edge tools and data analysis. Embedded in the Site Operations team, you’ll drive an automation first culture by building smart, practical solutions that reduce manual effort and prepare the organisation for more advanced AI adoption.

What else is involved?

Business Process Automation

• Identify repetitive or manual business processes across multiple teams within the department where automation could support efficiency and reduce errors.
• Design and implement Python based automation scripts and AI enabled workflows that complement human effort, allowing scale and enhanced productivity across teams
• Partner closely with stakeholders to map existing processes, understand team pain points, and co-create automation solutions that improve productivity.
• Build reusable automation frameworks that can be shared across teams, encouraging consistent best practice and reducing duplication of effort.
• Monitor and measure the impact of automation, highlighting where it has helped teams work more effectively, freed capacity, or improved outcomes.
• Act as a champion for AI collaboration, showing how automation supports people in their roles and strengthens overall performance.

Contribute to the departments wider adoption of automation and AI by upskilling colleagues, sharing knowledge, and creating accessible tools that empower teams.

Automated Testing & Quality Assurance

• Develop, implement, and maintain Python based scripts to validate platform functionality and performance.
• Continuously review and enhance testing processes, introducing AI assisted validation to increase efficiency and coverage.
• Proactively identify opportunities for automation in regression testing, reporting, and operational workflows.
• Experience with building complex engineered prompts to aid implementation of tasks.
• Experienced in using AI to aid in code completion (desirable).
• Experience with Vertex AI and/or embeddings for data vectorisation (desirable).
  
  

You’ll be doing all this from either our Leicestershire Head Office. Our offices are inspiring, yes. But we understand that life happens. So, we’re big on making sure your work, works for you which is why we offer flexible working - 3 days in the office per week.

About You

• Proven ability to design, implement and scale efficient automation scripts and workflows, primarily using Python, to reduce manual effort, enhance efficiency, and minimise errors. This includes process mapping, stakeholder collaboration, and experience integrating AI/ML services to augment human decision-making.
• Comfortable developing and maintaining scripts using frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Playwright) for content validation, cross-browser/cross-device compatibility, and proactive error detection (e.g., broken links, missing assets).
• Strong analytical skills combining Python, SQL, and BI tools (Power BI/Tableau) with automation to give insights.
• 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 an automation-first culture and managing multiple priorities effectively.

A strong collaborator with an inquisitive mindset for emerging technologies and a passion for building AI aided system

A background in eCommerce is beneficial but not essential

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!

About The Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 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 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 instore, 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
  
  

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.