Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data Scientist Senior Data Scientist at Ocado Retail: lead and mentor a team; apply statistical modeling to pricing, demand, and growth with real business impact. Senior Data Scientist Contract type: Permanent Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office) Working hours per week: 40 hours Level: Senior Application Closing Date: Friday 19th June 2026 About us Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague. We’re Ocado Retail , a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com . Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado , our same-day grocery delivery service. About the team and the role Data is core to our decision making, and we have one of the richest datasets in the industry. The Data Science team develops models which turn our data into actionable insights. It is our mission to leverage data to give the best value and experience to our customers and suppliers whilst increasing profitability and growth for Ocado Retail. The Data Science team is responsible for understanding the complexities in the data, generating appropriate models to answer business questions, and delivering the outputs of these models to stakeholders in diverse areas of the business. It is our responsibility to work across functions to productionise these models so they are available to the right people, any time they need them. This could be in the form of a data table with the outputs of the model, or developing an interface to allow users to leverage models for their specific needs. Our remit is to apply statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to our data at scale, and to do this we use Python, SQL, and the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). We are cross-functional by design, working with stakeholders across the business with varying degrees of technical expertise, meaning communicating complex ideas is core to the success of the Data Science team. What you’ll do Take the lead in line managing and mentoring junior members of the Data Science team, coaching them to realise their career ambitions. Apply advanced statistics and machine learning to our industry-leading retail dataset within a fast-paced, agile framework. Use Python and SQL, operating directly on our Data Lake in GCP, to solve complex challenges like optimising demand forecasting, improving customer conversion, and delivering sophisticated pricing optimisation models. Transform prototypes into reliable, production-ready systems hosted on Vertex AI, working cross-functionally to productionise models—leveraging modern MLOps tools such as Kubeflow. Communicate complex findings clearly to stakeholders to influence decision-making at all levels of the organisation. Who you are Extensive experience as a data scientist, with a demonstrable track record in the end-to-end development and deployment of high-impact data science products Deep expertise in advanced statistical modelling and machine learning, with practical experience tackling retail-specific problems like pricing optimisation, demand forecasting or customer lifetime value Experience with Python and SQL, including key packages such as numpy, pandas and scikit-learn Familiarity with software engineering best practices, such as unit testing, CI/CD, and containerisation Experience with version control software and platforms such as GitLab or GitHub. Have experience with implementation of machine learning concepts and methods Experience in a line managing capacity, including mentoring and coaching junior data scientists to realise their career ambitions Have great communication skills with a passion for data storytelling What’s in it for you By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future. If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer: Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more. Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office. Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities. Our Hiring Process Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process. Your Application and AI In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us. Everyone’s welcome We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form. Department Data & Insights Locations Head Office: Hatfield Remote status Hybrid Employment type Full-time