Operations: Transformation Strategist

Coastal Wave Recruiting

About The Position

Our client is a fast-growing AI enterprise startup transforming how large retail and CPG organizations operate. They are hiring their first US-based Transformation Strategist — a founding team member who will own the customer transformation journey end-to-end, from building the business case for operational change to ensuring AI-driven process improvements actually stick inside large enterprises. This is a rare founding team role for a seasoned transformation leader who is tired of making recommendations that disappear into a void. You will work at the C-level and board level, connect AI platform capabilities directly to income statement impact, and turn pilots into company-wide rollouts through demonstrated ROI. You will assemble and manage Forward Deployed Engineer teams, run steering committees, and build executive proof packs that convert skeptics into champions. This is not a PowerPoint strategy role. This is end-to-end ownership of business transformation at some of the largest retail and CPG enterprises in the world.

Requirements

4–8 years of experience in management consulting or enterprise deployment strategy roles serving retail and CPG clients
Real retail, CPG, or FMCG industry experience — either through consulting engagements or as an operator
Proven C-level stakeholder management — credible presenting to COOs, CFOs, and boards independently
Business case structuring and ROI measurement — can build outcome-based proof packs for executive audiences
Experience with enterprise process transformation programs spanning multiple business units
Hungry, driven, and comfortable operating in an early-stage environment without a fully defined playbook
Business-focused mindset — this is not a technical or engineering role

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with automation or AI platform deployments (RPA, workflow tools, or similar) preferred

Responsibilities

Own the customer transformation roadmap and drive measurable business outcomes for retail and CPG enterprise clients
Work at C-level and board level to connect AI platform capabilities to direct income statement impact
Assemble and manage teams of Forward Deployed Engineers for each customer engagement
Build business cases, run steering committees, and present executive proof packs to C-suite and board stakeholders
Drive expansion within accounts — turning pilots into company-wide rollouts through demonstrated ROI
Operate as a founding US team member, helping define how the company shows up for enterprise customers at scale