Associate Data Scientist

Why join us

Joining the Data & Analytics team at Sainsbury's as an Associate Data Scientist offers a unique opportunity to be part of a diverse and supportive environment where you can make a real impact through data-driven solutions. Working on innovative projects within the Nectar360 team, you will collaborate with talented colleagues to shape the future of our Retail Media Marketing offering used by clients, digital agencies, and internal teams. With a focus on continuous learning and growth, this role provides a platform for early career professionals to enhance their skills and contribute to the success of one of the UK's largest coalition loyalty programmes, all while being part of an inclusive and forward-thinking culture that values creativity in problem-solving.

What you'll do

As an Associate Data Scientist at Sainsbury's Nectar360, you will gain hands-on experience while contributing to impactful projects. You will play a vital role in building and refining data pipelines and models to support the measurement and optimisation of N360 marketing performance. Collaborating with a diverse team of Analysts, Engineers, Product Managers, and other stakeholders, you will apply data science techniques such as regression, classification, clustering, and experiment design to derive actionable insights from data. Your responsibilities will involve writing well-structured Python and SQL code, staying updated on advanced data science techniques, supporting senior colleagues, and transforming data into meaningful business insights, contributing to the success of our Retail Media Marketing offering. You will be part of our Data & Analytics community of 800+ professionals, sharing knowledge and learning from others.

Who you are

As an Associate Data Scientist at Sainsbury's Nectar360, you are a talented, dynamic and ambitious individual eager to apply your skills and passion for data science to drive impactful projects and contribute to the success of our Retail Media Marketing offerings. You are driven by solving complex problems and continuous learning, are excited to work with a wide range of data and keen to grow as part of an inclusive, forward-looking team. With a thoughtful approach and critical thinking abilities, you have a strong interest in leveraging data to deliver meaningful business outcomes. Your proficiency in Python, SQL, and data modelling, combined with your curiosity, problem-

solving mindset, make you a valuable asset to our team as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of data science and analytics. Whether you are a recent graduate, a career-changer, or building on early experience in data, we’re looking for potential and we value fresh perspectives.

Essential Criteria

Proficient in Python and SQL for data extraction and manipulation, with a demonstrable ability to write well-structured code collaboratively. Applied experience in data modelling or analysis, such as statistics, machine learning, or descriptive analytics, gained through academic, professional, or project-based work.  Experience or familiarity with MMMs, causal inference and/or multi-touch attribution are a plus. Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (. AWS or Azure) and an interest in building scalable data solutions. Understanding of version control tools and awareness of best coding practices in a collaborative environment. Ability to communicate insights clearly and work effectively with stakeholders across technical and business functions. Clear communicator who is open to feedback and learning. Values taking care of data quality and using data responsibly.

#LI-CM1

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. We’re one of the biggest supermarkets in the UK with one of the largest websites. So marketing here really happens at scale. We move a lot faster than you’d think too, across Brand Planning, Brand Comms and Creative, Digital Marketing, CRM and Loyalty, Nectar 360, Insights, and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. More people shopping with us each week means more interactions. And thanks to data insight, we understand customers in a way that almost nobody else does. We work alongside incredible brand partners and the best agencies around. So if you have a passion to learn, grow and experience new teams, come and explore it all with us.

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 save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. 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 bonus of up to 5% of salary, depending on how we perform.

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary 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.

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 for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).