Data Science Manager - Platforms and Core Capabilities (Metaheuristics)

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

Job summary

A leading supermarket chain in Welwyn Garden City is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead engagements and mentor teams. The role involves designing reusable components for algorithm development and defining the strategic direction of the team. Candidates should have expertise in Python and Meta-heuristics, and experience in operational research. The position offers a hybrid work model and a comprehensive benefits package including annual bonuses and medical insurance.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme up to 20%

25 days annual leave plus personal day

Private medical insurance

26 weeks maternity leave at full pay

Free 24/7 virtual GP service

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Senior Data Scientist or Data Science Manager with expertise in Operational Research and Meta-heuristics.
• Proficient in Python and experienced in mentoring teams.
• Experience in scheduling, vehicle routing, or bin-packing.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical engagements and manage a team of Data Scientists.
• Design and implement reusable components for algorithmic development.
• Define the strategic direction of the team while balancing priorities.
• Unblock daily technical challenges in alignment with the technical vision.
• Communicate solutions effectively to non-experts.
• Contribute to all aspects of the product lifecycle.

Skills

Programming in Python

Mentoring others

Operational Research

Meta-heuristics

Job description

Tesco UK

• Welwyn Garden City
• Hybrid
• Full-Time
• Apply by 30-May-2025

About the role

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.

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.

What is in it for you

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.

Responsibilities

• Be the technical domain and lead 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.
• You will have a high level of capability in a programming language, preferably Python, and have experience of mentoring others whilst partnering with teams in the areas of scheduling, vehicle routing or bin‑packing on technical developments.

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. 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. In short, 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 work in a more blended pattern – combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate.