Data Scientist - Forecasting

About the Role

At Tesco, the Data Science team focuses on modelling complex business problems and deploying data products at scale across physical stores, online, finance, and supply chain. The team works across forecasting, online pricing, security, fulfilment, distribution, property, IoT, and computer vision. We encourage learning and personal development each week, provide multiple resources and tools, and hold knowledge‑sharing events to support continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Leverage analytical mindset to solve complex business problems, understand requirements, and prototype solutions with minimal support.
• Apply, modify, and design algorithms and mathematical models using big‑data architectures (Hadoop, Spark, Cloud) with a focus on forecasting and statistical/probabilistic modelling, ensuring rigorous evaluation, careful validation, and scalable deployment.
• Validate, document, and present modelling process and performance, communicating complex solutions clearly to non‑experts.
• Promote data science within Tesco and represent the organisation in the external data science community.
• Drive innovation, take ownership of project development aspects, support the Lead Data Scientist and Product Manager in stakeholder relationships, and mentor and supervise junior team members and interns.

Qualifications

• Strong statistical background, programming skills, and familiarity with time‑series analysis or broader forecasting problems.
• Experience applying and adapting advanced algorithms, and modelling on large datasets.
• Some project and stakeholder management experience is preferred.
• Scientific mindset with the ability to ask relevant questions and seek answers.
• Higher degree (preferred) in mathematics, science, engineering, economics or computer science, with solid understanding of mathematics and statistical principles.
• Background in forecasting or probabilistic/statistical modelling, and experience blending data from diverse sources to produce forward‑looking predictions and scenarios.
• Experience in modelling risk or volatility, econometrics, or other strategic, multi‑year decision‑making approaches.
• Strong programming skills (Python preferred), familiarity with software engineering best practices (version control, unit testing, CI/CD), and big‑data/cloud technologies (PySpark preferred).

Benefits & Culture

We encourage continual learning, offer flexible working arrangements – spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at office locations or local sites and the rest remotely – and maintain a work‑life balance with regular team days and a relaxed yet engaging culture.

EEO Statement

We are proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. We commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.