Principal Solutions Strategist

at  Ocado Group

ABOUT US

The Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA) division is marketing Ocado’s proven, unique warehouse fulfilment technology in sectors outside of grocery retail. It operates as an independent client-facing business, combining the dynamism and vision of a start-up with the resources, IP and reputation established over 20 years by Ocado Group. OIA’s first customer is the leading pharmaceutical distributor McKesson Canada, and we have ambitious growth plans. In December 2023, Goldman Sachs valued the OIA part of Ocado Group at £2bn.
OIA Solutions Strategy was created to define automated warehouse propositions and products that meet the needs of OIA’s potential customers, and ensure that related development work (software and hardware) is valued, prioritised and delivered by Ocado Technology teams.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you ready to lead the charge in revolutionising the future of automation? As a Principal Strategist, you’ll bring unparalleled real-world expertise in OIA’s target markets, including their segmentation, trajectory, and an in-depth understanding of competitor ASRS and AMR systems.
In this role you will be the critical ‘voice of the market,’ guiding Ocado Technology’s product leaders and pinpointing exactly where and how OIA products can dominate. This is your chance to shape the future in a pivotal role during a dynamic growth phase. Be part of something extraordinary—join us!
Please Note: We offer a hybrid work environment, requiring at least two days in the office each week. This position is located at our Head Office in Trident Place, Hatfield.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Maintain and share your deep understanding of ecommerce and store replenishment supply chains - including the current processes and automated systems being used in Pharma, Apparel, CPG, General Merchandise, etc, the business problems that distributors are facing and what outcomes / products they are looking for
• Analyse OIA’s competitors, identify the relative strengths / weaknesses of our different propositions, and articulate our market positioning with technical and commercial detail
• Formulate and communicate to Technology Development teams ‘what success looks like’ for non-grocery propositions and subproducts (e.g. required functionality, documentation, or cost)
• Analyse and communicate the value of OIA product development work (e.g. size of prize, economic benefit); support and input to the relevant business cases
• Support the development of compelling automated warehouse solutions for key prospects and market segments and sales channels
• Support the prioritisation of OIA development work, and review/support the development of the non-grocery roadmap, short and long term
• Analyse and report on trends/data which will affect our markets and the relevance of our propositions over time
• Support Commercial team in establishing commercial models for new products
• Lead on key ad-hoc strategic projects as sponsored by OIA senior leadership (e.g. acquisitions or new ventures)