Data Science Manager - Nectar

Based in the Sainsbury’s Office in Holborn (Hybrid Working), we’re recruiting an ambitious Data Science Manager to work closely with decision makers in Nectar360 & Sainsbury’s to drive our Nectar360 retail media business for over 500 FMCG and GM clients. Nectar360 is the company behind Nectar, the UK’s largest loyalty programme, with over 19m customers across the country. 

Do you take satisfaction in seeing your recommendations implemented in the ‘real world’? Are you analytically creative and motivated by new challenges? Do you have a passion for working with data to drive insight and improve client understanding of data and media? 

When you join us you will be providing world-class data science for our clients. Utilising the Nectar360’s huge breadth of data to understand how we can drive impactful client engagement, this role is a fantastic opportunity to apply your data science leadership skills. There are thousands of experts to talk to and learn from and we’ve got data from billions of transactions for our teams to play with. 

The role, reporting into a Head of Analytics – Retail and Nectar, is based at Holborn on average 1-2 days a week, with home working expected the remainder of the time. Very occasional travel to our FMCG/GM clients may be required.  

 

More about the role  
 
We have around 80 Analysts and Data Scientists within the Marketing & Loyalty Division focusing on the broad spectrum of customer and commerical analytics across all Sainsbury’s brands including the Nectar360 B2B media and data business. 
 

This Data Science team are responsible for developing the algorithms, segmentations and advanced analytics that underpin millions of decisions across the business including Nectar360. We do complex modelling, forecasting, tool building, and insights-generation, by blending the latest data science techniques and best-in-class data science tools on an AWS tech stack. We are ‘the brain’ behind an optimised selection of offers, mechanics and discounts used to drive desired customer behaviour. We already deliver over 90m personalised offers every week to our Digital Nectar customers. 

This Data Science Manager role is core to developing and executing our exciting new bespoke Nectar360 multichannel media measurement solution. Working across a vast array of data sets, channels and stakeholders they will work hand in hand with Product owners, Engineers and client-facing Analysts to develop and optimise the solution to support Nectar360’s significant commerical growth. 

 

Specifically, this Data Science Manager role will:  
 

• Manage and support data scientists (both internal and external), motivating them on a daily basis. 
• Have a strong technical skillset to ensure we are delivering the most relevant media measurement to our Clients and lead on our hardest problems.
• Take on the end-to-end responsibility for the technical projects of the team. As part of this, you should challenge the status quo, setting the questions we should answer and challenging our current approaches to continually improve our knowledge. 
• Be an active, participating member of the Analytical team within Retail and Nectar Analytics as well as the broader Data and Analytical community at Sainsbury's. You should role model what great business behaviour looks like to the more junior members of the team, keeping an eye on the commercial impact of whatever we do whilst thinking how to frame and communicate this to the wider business, and bring stakeholders on the journey with them. 
• Work alongside Business and Tech stakeholders to define the roadmap, identifying opportunities to drive both incremental and step changes in our measurment capability with the aim of increasing the engagement of Nectar360’s client base. 

 

What we’re looking for:
 

• A strong quantitative academic background likely to consist of a university degree (e.g. statistics, mathematics, physics, machine learning, engineering) 
• Experience of generating data science solutions by working with marketing and customer data to drive business activity is crucial. 
• Extensive programming ability across Python or R and strong ability to use SQL, with a proven experience of analysing data in a corporate environment. 
• Experience with PySpark and parallel computing is desirable – we work with very large datasets! 
• Experience working at scale and in particular with cloud platforms such as AWS. 
• A strong understanding of efficiency and best practice in how code should be written - and an ability to instil this in the wider team. 
• Excellent analytical skills and statistical understanding. Specifically, Marketing Attribution modelling experience would be a significant advantage. 
• A keen desire to stay abreast of Data Science best practices, emerging technologies and techniques and broader industry trends.
• High level understanding of data architecture/governance.
• Experience at managing analysts and/or data scientists, managing their priorities and development with a track record of leading them in a fast-paced environment. 
• Experience of working with third-party suppliers to get the best quality results. 
• Experience of working in conjunction with dedicated Engineering and Product teams is desirable.
• Experience of managing stakeholders at various levels, and good presentation skills (verbal and written). Able to build relationships with people and get things done in a large organisation.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to explain complex analytical techniques to non­technical audiences in a clear and positive manner and the implications of the results.  
• Ability to clearly articulate required outcomes and present analytics work in a clear and succinct manner, to colleagues at all levels, across all functions.
• Identify opportunities for automation, minimising repetitive tasks and tailoring the analytical and reporting tools available.
• Independence to achieve results and work under own guidance and initiative progressing projects and work streams accordingly.
• Strong leadership and development of others: and not just for your own immediate team 

 

What we offer: 
 
• Colleague discount across the multi-brands – Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat  
• Holiday allowance  
• Bonus scheme  
• Pension plan  
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more  
 
Flexible working and job share conversations are encouraged. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer that champions a diverse and inclusive culture. 

 

#LI-SA1

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Everything our Nectar team does is powered and fuelled by data — and by great relationships with some of the UK’s favourite brands. The Nectar 360 team focuses on developing loyalty programmes, turning amazing data into something that makes a difference, traditional media and digital. It’s like an agency-within-a-retailer, and retail media is crucial. The culture might not be what you expect either, because there’s no set-up quite like this one. The team is a real priority because it’s connected to everything the business does and drives profitability. It’s where you can take risks, learn from them and be recognised.

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
 
 Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related target bonus of up to 20% of salary (which may vary for Nectar360), depending on how we perform.  
 
 Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
 
 Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave. 
 
 Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).

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