Data Science Manager - Platforms and Core Capabilities (Metaheuristics)

Tesco; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Welwyn Garden City is seeking an Operational Research specialist to join their team. You will lead a group of Data Scientists, solving complex business problems through data products and algorithmic solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong Meta-heuristics knowledge and direct line management experience. This role offers a competitive benefits package, including flexible working arrangements and an annual bonus scheme.

Benefits

Annual bonus up to 20%

25 days holiday plus personal day

Private medical insurance

26 weeks maternity leave at full pay

Free 24/7 virtual GP service

Qualifications

• Influential Senior Data Scientist or Data Science Manager in Operational Research.
• Direct line management experience is required.
• High capability in programming language, preferably Java.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical engagements and manage a team of Data Scientists.
• Support teams with algorithmic component design for optimization.
• Define strategic direction and manage conflicting priorities.
• Unblock technical challenges aligned with the technical vision.
• Communicate solutions to non-experts clearly.
• Contribute to all aspects of the product lifecycle.

Skills

Operational Research

Meta-heuristics

Programming (Java or OOP)

Mentoring

Problem Optimization

Job description

Overview

Tesco UK • Welwyn Garden City • Hybrid • Full-Time • Apply by 19-Dec-2025

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That's why at Tesco, we always welcome chats about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we can support. Are you an Operational Research specialist with strong Meta-heuristics experience? Then look no further and come and join our team! We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about the role or our team.

About the Team: Here at Tesco we focus on solving sophisticated business problems and developing data products that can be deployed at scale to our customers and colleagues. Our teams work across multiple areas including Stores, Online, Fulfilment, Marketing Clubcard, and we encourage rotation among our Data Scientists so they can apply their skills to different business challenges and gain deeper levels of domain expertise. On any day you could be supporting the automation of decision-making across the business; optimising processes for key business objectives; or conducting exploratory analysis for strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• The technical domain and leading technical engagements whilst managing a team of Data Scientists and supporting with the mentoring of others in the team on the best approaches to optimise problems and the development of Meta-heuristics
• Supporting teams in designing and implementing reusable components for algorithmic development for static and dynamic optimisation problems
• Defining the strategic direction that the team should take, trading off contradicting priorities
• Unblocking day-to-day technical challenges and ensuring that the daily work is aligned with the technical vision
• You will also communicate sophisticated solutions in a clear, understandable way to non-experts
• Working on end-to-end developments, contributing to all aspects of the product lifecycle

Qualifications

• Be an influential Senior Data Scientist or Data Science Manager within Operational Research combined with specialist knowledge of Meta-heuristics
• Direct line management experience
• You will have a high level of capability in a programming language, preferably Java or other OOP language and have experience of mentoring others whilst partnering with teams in the areas of scheduling, vehicle routing or bin-packing on technical developments

Benefits

We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you - both in and out of work. 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 year’s 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.

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”. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Tesco means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. We’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome. We’re proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. 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.