Context and role description:

Colorifix has a unique operation and business model with strong R&D and production components, and with informatics permeating the company. Therefore, we like to build our own bespoke software tools to help the business run. We're searching for an inspiring and experienced Head of Informatics to manage our talented team of software developers, data scientists, and engineers in building creative and flexible solutions that will significantly impact our business.

Informatics is a growing division at Colorifix. It is responsible for supporting R&D but increasingly now there is an emphasis for internal and customer-facing high reliability, high availability production systems. Areas of responsibility span software engineering, data analysis, hardware integration, IT and related support.

Our development team embraces agility, incorporating elements from both Agile and Shape Up methodologies. We work in short sprints followed by evaluation and improvement. Python and Vue.js are use for back-end and front-end development respectively, Python for data analysis and C/C++ for embedded systems.

GitLab is our central hub, housing our code, package and image repositories, and automated deployment pipelines through CI/CD. We operate in a mixed development environment with a focus on MacOS and Linux, and both development and production environments use Docker containerisation, for consistency and streamlined deployment.

Informatics is a multidisciplinary team in which each member specialises in a particular discipline, but we enjoy working on projects together and learning from each other. We value initiative, desire to learn and a drive for exploration. Although the whole company is growing fast, it still has a start-up vibe. We are looking for the right fit to lead the team and foster collaboration, innovation and growth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and motivate a diverse team of software developers, data scientists and engineers supporting R&D but also, importantly, internal, customer-facing and hardware production environments.
• Partner with stakeholders across different departments and externally to identify and address critical business needs.
• Provide technical advice and effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Prioritise conflicting demands effectively in consultation with key stakeholders in order to manage the overall workload of the team.
• Understand and analyse complex problems, specify technical requirements and ensure that these are met through effective solutions that fit company processes.
• Anticipate and address the needs of the informatics groups so that they can maximise their productivity.
• Identify skill gaps and develop the team's capabilities through hiring, mentorship, training opportunities, and career development initiatives.
• Champion a collaborative and supportive environment where individuals can learn from each other and thrive, in the process driving innovation by fostering a culture of exploration and continuous improvement.

Role Requirements:

Essential

• Experience leading a technical team, for instance in software engineering, data analysis, IT, engineering.
• Experience in product management.
• Expertise in at least three of the following areas: software engineering, data science, machine learning, embedded systems, electrical engineering, IT.
• Understanding of software and product development methodologies and best practices.
• Ability to communicate technical issues with non-technical and business stakeholders.
• Interest in many technical fields and an ability to learn quickly.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• A passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience of working with production environments.
• Experience of Linux/Unix systems.
• Experience with UX.
• Experience leading and managing cross functional teams in a technical environment.
• Experience of system design, databases, and security best practices.
• Experience with data science tools and technologies.
• Understanding of Python and knowledge of common Python frameworks and libraries.
• Experience of development in a Linux environment, continuous deployment and Docker.

Title: Head of Informatics

Reports to: CEO

Location: Norwich or Cambridge but remote/hybrid is also an option

Working hours: full time but flexible

Remuneration: Competitive

Holidays: 25 + BH + Birthday

Benefits: Pension scheme, EMI share options, Life Insurance, Health Cash Plan, mental health support and employee wellbeing budget, company social events and an annual retreat

Colorifix is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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