Permanent, Full Time
Location: London, UK
Reporting to: Sales & Merchandising Executive Committee
Focus: Global P&L ownership, AI/ML Platform Scaling, Commercial Data Strategy
About Smollan
Smollan is a full-service retail solutions partner with over 90 years of heritage, helping brands win at the point of purchase. Operating across 61 countries, we are trusted by over 500 global and local brands and employ more than 90,000 people. Our purpose is to create growth and transform lives by connecting people to products and possibilities.
We deliver intelligent, end-to-end retail execution and experiences across the physical and digital landscape, directed by data and powered by technology and people. Our capabilities include Sales & Merchandising, Activations & Experiences, and Data & Technology. Smollan grows brands by growing people, creating value for clients and impact for consumers every day.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an entrepreneurial executive to lead and scale Smollan's global Field Intelligence business. This is a rare opportunity to transform a critical capability into a high-growth commercial platform. Leveraging AI, advanced analytics, automation and field technology, you will redefine how field intelligence creates value for clients, drives operational excellence and generates new revenue streams across our global business.
As Chief Technology Officer - Field Intelligence, you will have end-to-end accountability for strategy, product development, commercial growth, platform evolution and profitability. You will lead the transition from traditional reporting and retrospective insights to AI-enabled, predictive and directive intelligence solutions that influence decision-making at scale. Success will require equal strength in commercial leadership, technology innovation and organisational transformation.
Key Priorities – First 24 Months
Define the Vision and Roadmap
- Establish a clear 3-year strategy and operating roadmap for the Field Intelligence business.
- Build a scalable commercial and operating model aligned to global growth ambitions.
- Establish baseline commercial, operational and financial performance measures.
Accelerate AI and Product Innovation
- Deploy AI, Machine Learning and Computer Vision use cases that deliver measurable client and business value.
- Transition intelligence capabilities from descriptive reporting to predictive and prescriptive decision-support tools.
- Create a sustainable innovation pipeline aligned to market opportunities and client demand.
Modernise the Platform Ecosystem
- Simplify and optimise the existing technology landscape.
- Drive greater integration and move toward a single-source-of-truth data architecture across priority markets.
- Improve platform scalability, adoption and operational efficiency.
Drive Commercial Growth
- Develop and commercialise market-leading intelligence products and services.
- Introduce scalable pricing, packaging and monetisation strategies.
- Deliver measurable revenue growth, margin expansion and increased client value creation.
What We're Looking For:
- Executive Leadership: Significant leadership experience within technology, data, analytics, digital product or commercial platform environments, including responsibility for complex multi-country operations and transformation programmes.
- Commercial Ownership: Demonstrated accountability for revenue growth, profitability, investment decisions and business performance within a technology-enabled business or business unit.
- Product Commercialisation: A proven track record of taking digital, AI, analytics or SaaS-based capabilities from concept to market adoption, commercial scale and measurable financial impact.
- Technology and Platform Expertise: Deep understanding of field execution technologies, Sales Force Automation (SFA), retail technology, route-to-market platforms or adjacent operational technology environments.
- AI at Scale: Hands-on experience embedding Generative AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision or advanced analytics into enterprise platforms and operational workflows.
- Strategic Influence: The ability to operate effectively within a complex global matrix, influencing executive stakeholders, regional leaders, clients and partners at the highest levels.
Ideal Background
Candidates are likely to have built their careers within one or more of the following environments:
- FMCG or Consumer Goods
- Retail Technology
- Sales Force Automation (SFA)
- Route-to-Market Platforms
- AI and Analytics Businesses
- SaaS and Data Platforms
- Field Service or Workforce Technology
Most importantly, you will have demonstrated the ability to transform organisations from understanding what happened to confidently knowing what to do next — and ensuring those insights translate into measurable commercial outcomes.
Measures of Success
- Success in this role will be measured through:
- Growth in revenue generated through intelligence products and services.
- Adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across key markets.
- Simplification and modernisation of the technology ecosystem.
- Improvement in profitability and operating efficiency.
- Increased client retention, expansion and value creation.
- Delivery of strategic transformation milestones.
Reward
A highly competitive executive compensation package is offered and will be commensurate with experience.
The package includes:
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based annual bonus
- Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
- Executive benefits package
Location
The role is based in London and requires regular engagement with global stakeholders and international markets. Candidates must already possess unrestricted right to work in the United Kingdom.
Interested? This is an opportunity to shape the future of field intelligence at global scale—transforming data into action, AI into commercial value, and technology into competitive advantage.
To Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter, ensuring it includes a summary of your achievements in a commensurate level role.
For a Confidential Discussion: Please contact Alexandra Richardson, Executive Talent Search Partner, Smollan Europe at Alexandra.Richardson@smollan.com.