Principal Data Scientist

Sparkbox; London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sparkbox seeks a Principal Data Scientist to lead our data science team and drive product innovation using machine learning to aid retailers in decision-making. The role emphasizes leadership, hands-on development, and collaboration across teams to deliver impactful data solutions. With opportunities for professional growth and a flexible working environment, this position is perfect for someone passionate about driving data science initiatives.

Benefits

33 days holiday per annum

Stock Options

Flexible working options

Monthly team meetups

Annual team parties

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience applying predictive machine learning in a commercial setting.
• Proven track record of productionising ML-based products.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists.
• Guide team members in analysis, modelling, and code review.
• Design, test, and improve machine learning models.

Skills

Predictive Machine Learning

SQL

Communication

Job description

We’re now looking for a Principal Data Scientist to join our growing team and play a key role in shaping and delivering our machine learning and analytics roadmap.

About SparkboxAt Sparkbox, we believe retail should run on data. We’re building a suite of AI-powered software tools that eliminate guesswork and help retailers make smarter inventory and pricing decisions. Our products are powered by artificial intelligence but built for humans.

Founded by a team of retail professionals, Sparkbox works with major global retailers. We’ve been recognised by Forbes, Retail Week, Fashion District, and Tech Nation, and have raised £1.65m from investors including Praetura Ventures and AI Seed

.

The RoleAs Principal Data Scientist, you’ll lead our Data Science team and contribute directly to the development of our machine learning platform. You’ll work across the business to drive product innovation, develop team members, and help bring data science to life for our clients.

We’re looking for someone who has strong technical and leadership skills and enjoys hands-on development. You’ll bring a strong engineering focus to how the team builds and scales data solutions, and a product lens that ensures our models deliver real value in the hands of users.

ResponsibilitiesLeadership:

• Define and manage our data science roadmap
• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, supporting their technical and professional growth
• Communicate progress and insights to internal teams and clients
• Collaborate with:
  • Leadership team to translate client and business requirements into tasks, project plans, and priorities, and provide guidance on how data science activities can guide business growth
  • Development and Product teams to Frame data science outputs as part of a larger product and ensure data science development is correctly configured and deployed in our front-end applications
  • Customer Success to interpret outputs, troubleshoot problems, respond to customer queries, and develop new use cases/ features

Hands-On Development

• Guide team members in analysis, modelling, coding, and review code
• Investigate and resolve issues related to algorithms, logic, or performance
• Design, test, and improve machine learning models and productivity tools
• Lead deployment of data science assets in collaboration with engineering
• Integrate software engineering practices (e.g., modular code, testing, code review) and deployment best practices (e.g., CI/CD, containerization, monitoring) into end-to-end data science product development and delivery

Requirements

• Experience applying predictive machine learning in a commercial setting
• Proven track record of productionising ML-based products
• Ability to develop ML solutions from high-level requirements and ideas
• Solid understanding of modelling techniques and their practical applications
• Proficient in SQL and handling large datasets
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders
• Some domain knowledge in retail or consumer goods, especially pricing or demand forecasting
• 33 days holiday per annum (25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays)
• Stock Options (participation in our growth)
• Flexible working options
• Monthly team meetups and annual team parties
• Development opportunities - tell us what you want to do and how it benefits you in your role, and we'll make it happe

Location: remote with one team meetup per month (London), or hybrid with access to our London office

Interested in this position? Apply today!

We aim to respond to your application within 14 days.

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