Antony Phillips

Algorithmic Software Engineer & Operations Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA

aphi.xc@gmail.com

About

Over a decade of experience in top start-ups in London and San Francisco. I specialize in designing and deploying high-impact optimization and machine learning systems, with a focus on solving complex problems in logistics, workforce scheduling, and supply chain optimization through integer programming, metaheuristics, and modern ML techniques.

My work spans from real-time logistics algorithms at Deliveroo serving millions of orders, to workforce optimization systems at Monzo Bank managing 1,000+ agents, to strategic supply chain models for global pharmaceutical companies at 7bridges. I also spent time contracting for Tesco and Shell. Currently, I'm building the next generation of workforce management optimization at Assembled, a leading SaaS platform for contact center WFM.

These days I'm particularly interested in the application of Reinforcement Learning to combinatorial optimization and scheduling problems.

Key Projects & Research

🎓

Ph.D. Research

Integer Programming and Matheuristic algorithms for large-scale NP-hard scheduling and timetabling problems.

Integer Programming Metaheuristics Constraint Programming C++ Gurobi

📦

PuLP Library

Co-author of PuLP, a popular Python linear programming toolkit with 1M+ downloads. Provides intuitive API for optimization problems with multiple solver backends.

Python Integer Programming HiGHS Gurobi Open Source

🚚

Real-Time Logistics

Automated dispatcher system for Deliveroo handling millions of orders. Vehicle routing, order batching, and dynamic assignment with sub-second response times.

VRP Real-time Machine Learning Python Metaheuristics

👥

Workforce Scheduling

Enterprise-grade scheduling optimization for contact centers. Balances coverage requirements, agent preferences, and business constraints for 1,000+ agents.

Constraint Programming CP-SAT Integer Programming Python

🌐

Supply Chain Optimization

Strategic, tactical, and operational models for global supply chains. Network design, load optimization, and real-time fulfillment for pharmaceutical companies.

Integer Programming Network Design HiGHS Python

🏆

Competitive Programming

Top 5% participant in Google Code Jam (2015-2021). 1st place in Oceania for IEEEXtreme 8.0 Global Programming Competition.

Algorithms C++ Problem Solving

Education

Ph.D. in Operations Research

University of Auckland • New Zealand • 2015

B.E. in Engineering Science (1st Class Honors)

University of Auckland • New Zealand • 2010

Publications

Which algorithm to select in sports timetabling?

D. Van Bulck, D. Goossens, J.P. Clarner, A. Dimitsas, G.H.G. Fonseca, et al. • European Journal of Operational Research 318(2), 575-591 • 2024
An adaptive large neighbourhood search matheuristic for the ITC2021 Sports Timetabling Competition

A.E. Phillips, M. O'Sullivan, C. Walker • Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling • 2021
Integer programming for minimal perturbation problems in university course timetabling

A.E. Phillips, C.G. Walker, M. Ehrgott, D.M. Ryan • Annals of Operations Research 252(2), 283-304 • 2017 • 50+ citations ⭐
Integer programming methods for large-scale practical classroom assignment problems

A.E. Phillips, H. Waterer, M. Ehrgott, D.M. Ryan • Computers & Operations Research 53, 42-53 • 2015 • 100+ citations ⭐
Optimization with PuLP

S. Mitchell, A. Kean, A. Mason, M. O'Sullivan, A. Phillips, F. Peschiera • COIN-OR Foundation • 2014

View all publications on Google Scholar →