Algonomy - Lead Presales Consultant - AI Retail Planning & Supply Chain

Description:

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and consultative Senior Pre-Sales Consultant to join our team, focusing on our cutting-edge AI-powered Retail Merchandise and Supply Chain Planning Solution. This critical role requires a blend of deep domain expertise in retail planning, a strong understanding of AI/Data Science, and exceptional consultative sales and storytelling abilities.

The ideal candidate will be instrumental in demonstrating the business value of our solution to senior retail leadership, specifically Heads of Merchandise and Heads of Supply Chain, and guiding them through the evaluation process from initial engagement to Proof-of-Concept (POC) success.

Key Responsibilities:

Consultative Engagement & Sales Enablement

- Executive-Level Engagement: Act as the primary technical and business value expert, engaging confidently and credibly with C-level and Head-of-level executives (e.g., Head of Merchandise Planning, Head of Supply Chain, CIO/CTO).

- Discovery & Needs Analysis: Conduct in-depth discovery sessions to thoroughly understand the client's current retail planning, forecasting, and supply chain challenges, pain points, and strategic business objectives.

- Solution Architecture & Design: Translate complex customer requirements into solution proposals, mapping our AI capabilities to solve specific merchandise and supply chain problems.

Technical Expertise & Solution Demonstration

- Domain Expertise: Leverage deep knowledge of Retail Planning processes, including Assortment Planning, Demand Forecasting, Inventory Optimization, Allocation, Markdown Planning, and Supply Chain execution.

- AI/Data Science Acumen: Be well-conversant with the principles, terminology, and practical applications of AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science within a retail planning context (e.g., time-series forecasting, prescriptive analytics, model explainability).

- Compelling Demonstrations: Design and deliver highly tailored and impactful product demonstrations that showcase the solution's features and, critically, connect them directly to quantifiable business outcomes.

Business Impact & Storytelling

- Value-Driven Storytelling: Craft and deliver compelling narratives that clearly articulate how the AI solution will generate significant business impact (e.g., reduced stockouts, lower working capital, improved forecast accuracy, higher margins).

- POC Management & Socialization: Define the scope, objectives, and success metrics for Proof-of-Concepts (POCs). Socialize the demonstrable business impact achieved during the POC stage with stakeholders, creating a clear case for investment and successful transition to the sales team for closure.

- Content Creation: Collaborate with marketing and product teams to develop high-impact, business-focused sales assets (presentations, white papers, ROI models).

Required Skills & Experience

- 10+ years of experience in a Pre-Sales, Solutions Consulting, or professional services role, focused on enterprise software.

- 4+ years of experience specifically selling or business consulting in the domain Retail Merchandise Planning, Demand Forecasting, or Supply Chain Management.

- Proven ability to engage and build trust with senior retail business stakeholders (Heads of Merchandising/Supply Chain) on business metrics and AI role in it

- Excellent understanding of AI/ML concepts and their application in enterprise software, especially predictive and prescriptive analytics.

- Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical topics into clear, concise business value propositions.

- Demonstrated experience in creating and presenting Return on Investment (ROI) models and quantifiable business cases.

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field; Master's degree preferred.