VP of AI Strategy and Implementation

As the VP of AI Strategy and Implementation at Buyers Edge Platform, you will lead our AI transformation and shape the future of our business through innovative AI solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and execute a forward-thinking AI strategy that aligns with our global objectives, driving operational excellence, enhancing data capabilities, and delivering actionable insights. You'll achieve this by collaborating cross-functionally across our platform of brands to integrate AI technologies into our operations, ensuring they deliver measurable value while upholding the highest standards of responsibility and ethics.

Who we are:

Buyers Edge Platform stands at the forefront of revolutionizing the foodservice industry through technology, purchasing power and partnerships. We are dedicated to empowering stakeholders across the entire foodservice ecosystem (operators, distributors, manufacturers) with efficiency and unprecedented visibility. With a diverse portfolio of over a dozen brands, our mission is clear: to reduce costs, streamline the foodservice supply chain, and propel the industry from manual to automated.  

Today, we are one of the largest players in foodservice, with over 200K operator locations across North America and over $50 billion of aggregated spend volume. Our commitment to foodservice excellence is proven in four distinct areas of value: Digital Procurement Network, Fresh Solutions, Supply Chain Management, and Software. Buyers Edge Platform is not just a provider – we are a strategic partner on the journey towards a more efficient, connected, and automated future for the foodservice industry.

This position is based out of our Lake Worth, FL office with anticipated travel up to 15%. We are unable to offer work sponsorship for this role. 

Your impact:

AI Strategy & Vision  

• Own the end-to-end delivery of AI initiatives, from strategic vision to measurable business outcomes.
• Craft and champion a comprehensive AI strategy that aligns with Buyers Edge Platform’s long-term business goals.  
• Identify high-impact AI opportunities across departments to optimize processes and improve decision-making.  
• Anticipate emerging AI trends and technologies, positioning the company to leverage future advancements.  
• Partner with senior leadership and data teams to ensure AI initiatives support organizational priorities.  
• Work closely with the product team to understand user behaviors and needs.
• Define and track KPIs to measure the success and business impact of AI projects.

AI Implementation & Operations  

• Lead the deployment of AI solutions, such as predictive analytics for supply chain optimization, natural language processing (NLP) for customer insights, and robotic process automation (RPA) for operational efficiency.  
• Ensure AI models are scalable, reliable, and secure, collaborating with data science, engineering, and IT teams for seamless integration into existing systems.  
• Establish best practices for AI development, testing, and monitoring to maintain top-tier performance standards.

Governance, Ethics & Compliance  

• Develop and enforce an AI governance framework that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and accountability.  
• Implement risk management protocols to mitigate bias and ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).  
• Promote ethical AI practices that align with company values and industry standards.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Change Management  

• Assemble and inspire a diverse, high-performing AI team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.  
• Drive AI adoption by implementing training programs to enhance AI literacy and tool proficiency across the organization.  
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, translating complex AI concepts into actionable business strategies.  
• Lead change management efforts to ensure smooth integration of AI technologies, securing buy-in from all stakeholders.

Innovation & Research  

• Cultivate an environment of experimentation, encouraging the exploration of cutting-edge AI techniques and technologies.  
• Forge partnerships with external research institutions, technology vendors, and industry leaders to stay ahead of AI advancements.  
• Assess build-vs.-buy options for AI tools, ensuring the company adopts the most effective solutions for its needs.

About you:

• Technical Expertise:  
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python and SQL.  
  • Advanced knowledge of database architecture and schema design.  
  • Hands-on experience with