The Background

A major UK retailer needed to expand its data capabilities by creating a new Data Engineering squad within its analytics function. This team is central to delivering scalable data products that support machine learning and customer-facing systems.

This project formed part of a company-wide digital transformation programme, pushing the organisation towards its ambition of being one of the most progressive large data platforms in Europe.

The Challenge

The organisation needed to modernise its data infrastructure to support advanced analytics and personalisation, during a wider extrication process from its previous parent company. Existing pipelines lacked the robustness and scalability required for real-time decision-making and integration with machine learning systems.

The Requirement

Our client sought a number of technically strong Data Engineers, capable of building production-grade data products using PySpark, Databricks, and Azure. These roles required candidates who could work independently, implement CI/CD pipelines, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and translate business needs into scalable data solutions.

Freshminds Solution

In a partnership spanning almost a year, Freshminds was able to source hard-to-find candidates across the data engineering team. The successful candidates were employed on a project basis, allowing the employer flexibility over project costs and duration.

The roles were highly technical, meaning that the search for the right people was exacting. Five specific coding and programming skills were required, but the combination was not one that every Data Engineer would have, and in addition, strong EQ and communications were key to these roles.

“Since we started working together in December 2023, Freshminds has demonstrated that they can find and secure brilliant talent for my data engineering team - people who exactly fit our complex brief.” 

Senior Manager, Data Engineering

Four in total were sourced and placed for Data Engineering; one of whom moved to permanent employment with the retailer.

Due to the complexity of the skills required, the Freshminds team dedicated many weeks assessing applications, conducting detailed screening interviews and tests, saving the client time and resources. Overall, over a thousand applications were reviewed, 50 candidates were interviewed, 37 were shortlisted for the client, and 22 went through a final interview for these various roles.

Hand in hand with this project, Freshminds also assisted with a wider strategy brief, with three additional consultants placed on an interim basis within the wider strategy and transformation team. One remains in the business as a Strategy Manager.