Data Scientist

Salary:
Competitive Plus Benefits

Location:

London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA

Hours:

Full time
Contract type:
Permanent
Business area:
Data & Analytics
Closing date: 3 November 2026

Requisition :

At Sainsbury’s, data sits at the heart of how we operate, innovate and serve our customers. Our Data & Analytics team is building a technically advanced, commercially focused and impactful capability, powering our Next Level Strategy and helping to create a Sainsbury’s powered by industry leading AI algorithms. We use data, technology and advanced analytics to drive better decisions across the business, from forecasting and optimisation to experimentation, personalisation and machine learning.

With one of the richest retail datasets I n the UK and a portfolio spanning Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat and Nectar, the opportunity to innovate is huge. Here, you’ll tackle complex challenges at scale, create measurable impact and grow quickly alongside brilliant colleagues. People who thrive with us combine business understanding, technical expertise and curiosity, with a natural instinct for problem-solving.

Join us and help shape the future of retail through data and AI.

This role is posted within the Marketing job family for internal system reasons, but the position itself sits in our central Data Science Hub (Data & Analytics). You’ll work on cross‑functional, high‑impact data science projects across areas including pricing, digital, supply chain and commercial—not marketing delivery.

We’re looking for a data science specialist with a particular interest in working on operations research problems. You’ll be working on one of the largest datasets in retail, delivering huge business impact, as part of a team that builds, deploys, and maintains cutting‑edge data-products that drive competitive edge.

• Using non-technical language, tell engaging stories that influence business stakeholders
• Develop and maintain relationships with key internal customers and product owners
• Identify, scope and size data science and operations research opportunities across the Business
• Understand and document relevant business processes and driving performance metrics
• Research, design and build decision models and algorithms
• Define data requirements, gather and validate data
• Work closely with engineering (Decision Ops) teams to align on robust production architectures that enable long‑term support and iteration
• Design tests that quantify the computational and business performance in both digital and physical domains

• Take a leading role in the development and delivery of team upskilling
• Share Operations Research expertise across the Data Science community
• Contribute to our vibrant Data and Analytics community of over 800 colleagues

We typically look for candidates with a Master’s or PhD in a relevant quantitative field (e.g., maths or operational research). However, strong applicants with equivalent industry experience or a related scientific/engineering degree are also encouraged to apply.

• Passion for driving business impact through the application of Operational Research methods
• Excellent business acumen, commercial awareness, and judgement
• Ability to translate real-life problems into mathematical models – linear, non-linear, stochastic, etc.
• Broad knowledge across a range of mathematical optimisation and simulation techniques, as well as exact and heuristic solution methods
• Previous experience working with mathematical modelling libraries/platforms and solvers

• Practical experience applying operational research techniques to deliver measurable business value or a strong…