Data Science Manager - Logistics Operations

Tesco; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is looking for a Data Science Manager to oversee a talented group of Data Scientists in Welwyn Garden City. You will lead projects focused on optimization and data-driven decision-making, influence senior stakeholders, and help champion data science initiatives. The ideal candidate should possess specialist knowledge in data science domains along with strong programming capabilities. The role offers opportunities for professional growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary

Holiday starting at 25 days plus personal day

Private medical insurance

26 weeks maternity and adoption leave

Free 24/7 virtual GP service

Qualifications

• Specialist knowledge in Operations Research, Machine Learning, or similar.
• High capability in at least one programming language.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders on technical topics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide a talented group of Data Scientists.
• Take ownership of your technical domain.
• Guide a team throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
• Build mathematical models on big data architectures.
• Champion data science within Tesco.

Skills

Technical Data Science domain knowledge

Programming languages (Java, Python, Scala)

Influencing senior stakeholders

Leading Data Science developments

Coaching and mentoring

Partnering with technology teams

Job description

Overview

Tesco UK • Welwyn Garden City • Full-Time • Permanent • Apply by 06-Nov-2025

Here at Tesco we focus on solving complex business problems and developing data products that can be deployed at scale to our customers. Our work spans across multiple areas including Stores, Online, Fulfilment, Marketing and Clubcard and we encourage rotation amongst our Data Scientists so they can apply their skills to different business challenges and gain deeper levels of subject matter expertise.

Our core work involves developing data products that can be deployed at scale both internally and externally. On any day you could be supporting the automation of decision-making across the business; optimising processes for key business objectives; or conducting deep-dive exploratory analysis to inform strategic decision-making.

Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years\' service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 4 weeks fully paid paternity leave
• Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing

Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for leading and guiding a talented group of Data Scientists—managing, mentoring, and coaching them as they tackle complex optimisation challenges.
• Take ownership of your technical domain and lead meaningful engagements with teams across the company, helping unlock the power of data.
• Guide and support a team throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial exploration to production-ready data products, while monitoring impact and effectiveness.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly to non-technical stakeholders to enable understanding and buy-in.
• Build mathematical models on top of big data architectures to uncover insights that improve customer experience and business outcomes.
• Champion data science within Tesco and represent the company in the wider data science community.

Qualifications

• Specialist knowledge of a technical Data Science domain, preferably in Operations Research and Simulations; other domains may include Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Forecasting, NLP, Statistics
• Experience with different programming languages and a high level of capability in at least one language (Java, Python, Scala, Go or similar)
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders on technical topics
• Experience of leading highly technical Data Science developments involving multiple stakeholders in logistics
• Experience of coaching/mentoring others in technical approaches
• Experience of partnering with technology teams to productionize developments and roll out at scale

About us

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer's favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is \"Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day\". Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers. It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of and for the planet.

We are proud to have an inclusive culture at Tesco where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings. We\'re committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued, and make sure that all colleagues are given the same opportunities. We\'re proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we\'re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, please click here.

We\'re a big business and we can offer a range of diverse full-time & part-time working patterns across our many business areas, which means that we can find something that works for you. We work in a more blended pattern - combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate. If you are applying internally, please speak to the Hiring Manager about how this can work for you - Everyone is welcome at Tesco.