Site Ops AI & Automation Engineer

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, offering a salary range of £40,000 - £53,000

At NEXT, not only are we one of the UK’s largest fashion retailers, but we’re also one of the largest listed companies, full-stop. Selling our products and thousands of world-famous brands, both in-store and online UK and Internationally. What’s more, we’re growing. Fast. And it’s the kind of growth and investment that is exciting for everyone in our business. 

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.

About The Role:

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 automation frameworks 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.

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. 

Bring your energy. Play to your strengths. Make things bigger and better than before. Let’s Take It On.

About You:

• Proven ability to design, implement and scale efficient automation scripts and workflows, primarily using Python, to reduce manual effort, enhance efficiency, and minimize errors. This includes process mapping, stakeholder collaboration, and experience integrating AI/ML services to augment human decision-making.
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining automated testing 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 accelerate 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.

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!