Data Science Manager - Simulation and Digital Twins

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

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is seeking a Data Science Manager to oversee simulation projects and guide a team of Data Scientists. You'll work across business areas to support decision-making automation, optimize key processes, and tackle complex data challenges. The ideal candidate will possess strong programming skills and experience with various simulation paradigms. A competitive benefits package including a bonus scheme, generous holiday, and private medical insurance is offered, alongside a flexible working pattern.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme up to 20%

25 days holiday plus personal day

Private medical insurance

26 weeks maternity leave with full pay

Qualifications

• Experience designing and analyzing simulations.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python or Java.
• Familiarity with cloud technologies and software development best practices.

Responsibilities

• Line manage Data Scientists and mentor the team in simulation models.
• Support teams in designing re-usable components for simulation.
• Translate business challenges into data science problems.

Skills

Experience in simulation paradigms

Programming skills in Python or Java

Familiarity with software engineering practices

Job description

Tesco UK • Welwyn Garden City • Full-Time • Apply by 03-Jan-2026

Here at Tesco, we focus on solving complex business problems and developing data products that can be deployed at scale to our customers.

Our core work involves developing data products that can be deployed at scale both internally and externally and our focus spans across multiple areas including Stores, Online, Fulfilment, Marketing and Clubcard. We are looking for Data Science Manager to help expand the impact simulation and digital twins at Tesco.

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.

Working within a multidisciplinary team you will help bring Simulation and Digital Twin capabilities at the scale of Tesco operations, working across all the business areas to champion simulation and develop new simulation projects.

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. Click Here to find out more!

• 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 6 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

You will be responsible for

• Line manage Data Scientists and mentor/coach the wider team in best approaches to simulation models and the development of relevant tools
• Support the teams in designing and implementing re‑usable components for simulation model development and digital twins' creation
• Translate ambiguous business challenges into data science problems and applications
• Work end‑to‑end on Data Science developments, contributing to all aspects of the project lifecycle which result in productionised data products by engaging and influence a wide range of stakeholders

You will need

• Experience of designing, implementing, and analysing simulations in different simulation paradigms, Agent‑Based Modelling, Discrete Event Simulation, etc
• Experience in one or more of the following fields; Supply Chain or Logistics Simulation, Co‑Simulation and FMI, Simulation of Complex Systems, Calibration of simulation models from big data sets
• Strong programming skills (Python or Java are preferred) as well as familiarity with software engineering best practices (such as version control, OOP, unit testing, CI/CD) and cloud technologies.

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.