Senior Data Scientist - Forecasting

At Tesco, our Data Science team focuses on modelling complex business problems and deploying data products at scale. Our work extends across multiple areas including physical stores, online, finance, and supply chain. The Data Science team works across several domains and problem types: forecasting, online, pricing, security, fulfilment, distribution, property, IoT and computer vision are just some. Our team members are encouraged to allocate working hours for learning and personal development every week and are provided with multiple learning resources and tools. Multiple academic collaborations enrich the team's expertise; knowledge‑sharing events are held regularly. Furthermore, we offer a great work‑life balance, regular team days and a relaxed yet engaging culture.

This is a hands‑on position where you will need to leverage your analytical mindset to find solutions to complex problems. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will need to understand difficult business problems and prototype solutions with minimal support. A core component of the role is applying, modifying, and designing algorithms and mathematical models to solve business problems using big data architectures (Hadoop, Spark, Cloud). In this role, your primary focus will be forecasting and related statistical or probabilistic modelling, with a strong emphasis on rigorous evaluation against robust baselines, careful validation, and scalable deployment. Our Data Scientists must be able to validate, document and present the modelling process and performance, as well as communicate complex solutions in a clear, understandable way to non‑experts. Data Scientists are also responsible for promoting data science across Tesco and representing Tesco across the external Data Science community. Finally, as a Senior Data Scientist, you will be expected to drive innovation and take ownership of aspects of project development, support the Lead Data Scientist and Product Manager in managing relationships with business stakeholders, and mentor and supervise junior team members and interns.

You should have a mix of statistics, programming skills and familiarity with time series analysis or broader forecasting problems. Experience of applying and adapting advanced algorithms is essential, and experience applying models to large data sets is highly valued. Some project and stakeholder management experience is preferred. A scientific mindset, with the ability to ask the right questions as well as answer them, is important. A strong numerical higher degree in a mathematical, scientific, engineering, economics or computer science discipline is preferable, together with a solid understanding of mathematics and statistical principles. We are looking for a background in forecasting or probabilistic/statistical modelling, along with experience blending data from different sources to explain historic behaviour and produce forward‑looking predictions and scenarios. We particularly value experience in modelling risk or volatility, econometrics, or other modelling approaches that support strategic, multi‑year decision making. Finally, strong programming skills are essential (Python is preferred), as well as familiarity with software engineering best practices (such as version control, unit testing and CI/CD) and big data and cloud technologies (PySpark preferred).

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award‑winning mobile network. Truth is, we are all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues. At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support. We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone's welcome. That's why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.