Principal AI Transformation (m/f/d)

As Principal AI Transformation, you will define and execute KoRo's AI strategy across the entire company. You won't build AI for the sake of AI – you'll make our teams measurably more effective. Some functions need to deliver the more output with the same people; others need to unlock entirely new capabilities. You'll work side-by-side with team leads to make both happen.

You sit at C-1 level, reporting to the COO with a dotted line to the CEO. You will lead a small team (starting with one AI Senior Manager focused on infrastructure and enablement), define the AI targets across all teams, and act as the go-to AI advisor for every team lead as they take ownership for reaching those targets.

This is a hybrid role: ~70% strategy, coaching, and enablement; ~30% hands-on building, prototyping, and unblocking. We don't want a slide-deck AI leader – we want someone who can sit down with a team and build the prototype that proves the point.

Your responsibilities:

• Own the AI roadmap: Translate KoRo's business goals into a focused AI agenda. Decide where we go deep, where we go broad, and where we explicitly don't play.

• Coach team leads: Every team at KoRo will have an AI-related goal in 2026. You're the trusted advisor who helps team leads turn those goals into real, shipped outcomes. Ownership stays with them; you make sure they succeed.

• Shape the tool landscape: Decide what we buy, what we build, and what we deprecate. Own the strategic direction of our AI stack, Your AI Senior Manager handles the execution layer.

• Build when needed: Prototype quickly to prove value or unblock teams. You're comfortable writing code, wiring up APIs, and shipping a working tool in days when the situation calls for it.

• Drive transformation: Your job is to make AI the default way we think and work – not a tool people reach for, but the starting assumption every team builds their processes around. And to make sure that shift delivers measurable business value.

• Report to C-Level: You'll regularly update the C-Level on progress, blockers, and recommendations. You'll also represent AI strategy to our investors and board when relevant.

• Hire and grow the team: Starting with one direct report (AI Senior Manager, Infrastructure & Enablement) and building from there as we prove out the model.

• 7+ years of relevant experience, ideally a mix of strategic and hands-on roles. We're open on the exact path – founder, ex-consultant turned operator, AI lead at a scale-up, technical PM with AI focus.
• Strong technical foundation. You can read and write code, understand modern LLM tooling, and have shipped AI-powered features or internal tools yourself.
• Track record of driving change across functions, not just within a tech team. You've worked with non-technical stakeholders and made them more effective.
• Pragmatism over purism. You know when 80% is enough and when to invest in doing it right.
• Strong commercial instinct. You understand how a business makes money and you prioritize accordingly.
• Excellent communication in English (German is a plus but not required).

• You've been a founder, early employee, or operator at a high-growth company – you've seen what it takes to build something from zero.
• You've led a small high-leverage team before and know how to keep ownership distributed without losing direction.
• Experience in consumer, e-commerce, food, or retail – you understand the operating realities of a physical-product business.
• You're someone team leads actually want to work with: low ego, high bias for action, and the kind of person who makes others around you better.

• Impact & Influence: A genuine C-1 level role with direct influence. You will shape how a 350-person company operates and scales.

• C-Level Alignment: Direct access to a C-Level team that already integrates AI (like Claude) into daily operations. No convincing required at the top – we speak the same language.

• Autonomy & Budget: Full trust, budget, and freedom to build the exact team, processes, and tech toolset you need to succeed.

• Stability & Growth: You join a profitable, growing business that has both the resources to invest and the strategic discipline to focus.

• The Essentials: Flexible working hours, a hybrid model, and a modern office in Berlin. Plus, the usual perks like 28+ days of vacation, a MacBook, fitness subsidies (Urban Sports Club, Hansefit or FitX), and KoRo discounts. But let’s be honest – those aren't the reasons why you’d take this job.

For us, it's not just about the what, but above all about the how. You'll be a perfect fit for us if you have the following mindset:

• You take initiative and ownership. You don't wait for a perfect brief or a mandate to get started. When you see an opportunity, a risk, or something that can be improved - you act. When things don't go as planned, you look at your own contribution first and step up, without waiting to be asked.

• You thrive in change. Shifting priorities and evolving processes don't slow you down. You adapt fast and keep moving.

• You build, you don't wait. When something is missing - a tool, a process, a solution - you create it. You prefer a working MVP over a perfect plan and iterate from there.

• You think in leverage. You question how things are done, prioritize ruthlessly, and find smarter paths to better outcomes. You don't mistake effort for impact.

• You're a team player, humble and genuinely kind. You collaborate in and across teams, care about the people around you, and bring sparkles to the room. You speak up when you disagree, commit fully once a decision is made, and actively make the people around you better.

Own it – Move fast – Build it – Create impact – Lift others

Send us a short note on why this role interests you and what you'd focus on in your first 90 days. If you've built something with AI you're proud of, we'd love to see it – code, product, internal tool, anything real beats a polished CV.