Transformation Strategist
Coastal Wave Recruiting • United States
Posted: July 1, 2026
Job Description
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.
The Opportunity
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.
What You'll Do
- 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
Ideal Candidate Archetypes
Archetype 1 — MBB or Big 4 Consulting McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or Big 4 at Engagement Manager or Principal level. Has led process transformation engagements in retail, CPG, or FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) verticals. Comfortable owning client relationships independently and presenting to COOs, CFOs, and boards without support.
Archetype 2 — AI Deployment Strategist 4–6 years as a Deployment Strategist at Palantir, Sierra, Decagon, or a comparable AI company with a heavy deployment and business development motion. Has taken AI platform pilots to company-wide rollouts inside large enterprises.
Archetype 3 — Operator + Consultant Strategy role at a large retailer or CPG company combined with consulting experience. Has direct exposure to category management, supply chain, trade terms, or finance operations — and knows how these organizations make decisions from the inside.
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...Key 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
- Based in the East Coast or Central time zone
- Familiarity with automation or AI platform deployments (RPA, workflow tools, or similar) preferred
Additional Content
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.
The Opportunity
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.
What You'll Do
- 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
Ideal Candidate Archetypes
Archetype 1 — MBB or Big 4 Consulting McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or Big 4 at Engagement Manager or Principal level. Has led process transformation engagements in retail, CPG, or FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) verticals. Comfortable owning client relationships independently and presenting to COOs, CFOs, and boards without support.
Archetype 2 — AI Deployment Strategist 4–6 years as a Deployment Strategist at Palantir, Sierra, Decagon, or a comparable AI company with a heavy deployment and business development motion. Has taken AI platform pilots to company-wide rollouts inside large enterprises.
Archetype 3 — Operator + Consultant Strategy role at a large retailer or CPG company combined with consulting experience. Has direct exposure to category management, supply chain, trade terms, or finance operations — and knows how these organizations make decisions from the inside.
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...Key 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
- Based in the East Coast or Central time zone
- Familiarity with automation or AI platform deployments (RPA, workflow tools, or similar) preferred