Data Scientist in City of London

This role is posted within the Marketing job family for internal system reasons, but the position itself sits in our central Data Science Hub (Data & Analytics). You’ll work on cross‑functional, high‑impact data science projects across areas including pricing, digital, supply chain and commercial—not marketing delivery.

What you’ll do:

• We’re looking for a data science specialist with a particular interest in working on operations research problems.
• You’ll be working on one of the largest datasets in retail, delivering huge business impact, as part of a team that builds, deploys, and maintains cutting-edge data-products that drive competitive edge.

Stakeholder management:

• Using non-technical language, tell engaging stories that influence business stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key internal customers and product owners.
• Identify, scope and size data science and operations research opportunities across the Business.

Technical delivery:

• Understand and document relevant business processes and driving performance metrics.
• Research, design and build decision models and algorithms.
• Define data requirements, gather and validate data.
• Work closely with engineering (DecisionOps) teams to align on robust production architectures that enable long-term support and iteration.
• Design tests that quantify the computational and business performance in both digital and physical domains.

Coaching and Mentoring:

• Take a leading role in the development and delivery of team upskilling.
• Share Operations Research expertise across the Data Science community.
• Contribute to our vibrant Data and Analytics community of over 800 colleagues.

What we’re looking for:

• Academic profile: We typically look for candidates with a Master’s or PhD in a relevant quantitative field (e.g., maths or operational research). However, strong applicants with equivalent industry experience or a related scientific/engineering degree are also encouraged to apply.

Essential Criteria:

• Passion for driving business impact through the application of Operational Research methods.
• Excellent business acumen, commercial awareness, and judgement.
• Ability to translate real-life problems into mathematical models - linear, non-linear, stochastic, etc.
• Broad knowledge across a range of mathematical optimisation and simulation techniques, as well as exact and heuristic solution methods.
• Previous experience working with mathematical modelling libraries/platforms and solvers.

Preferred experience:

• Practical experience applying operational research techniques to deliver measurable business value or a strong publication record, with significant relevance to industry applications.
• Experience with Agile team management methodologies (preferably Kanban).
• Familiarity with software engineering best practices including version control, CI/CD, testing.
• Basic proficiency with SQL and Python.

Responsibilities:

At Sainsbury’s, data sits at the heart of how we operate, innovate and serve our customers. Our Data & Analytics team is building a technically advanced, commercially focused and impactful capability, powering our Next Level Strategy and helping to create a Sainsbury’s powered by industry leading AI algorithms. We use data, technology and advanced analytics to drive better decisions across the business, from forecasting and optimisation to experimentation, personalisation and machine learning. With one of the richest retail datasets in the UK and a portfolio spanning Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat and Nectar, the opportunity to innovate is huge. Here, you’ll tackle complex challenges at scale, create measurable impact and grow quickly alongside brilliant colleagues. People who thrive with us combine business understanding, technical expertise and curiosity, with a natural instinct for problem-solving. Join us and help shape the future of retail through data and AI.

Qualifications:

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits.

Here are some of them:

• Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year.
• We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
• You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.
• Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday.
• We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before payday) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
• And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.
• Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.