Director Data & AI Readiness (f/m/d) | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Berlin
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

Your tasks

Why this role exists

KoRo isn't a food company that happens to have data. We're a data company that happens to sell delicious, better-for-you food. Our flywheel, which validates winners online, then scales them into retail in under six months, only spins because of the product and platform behind it: the storefront 2.5m+ customers shop, the systems that run our operations, and the data that ties it all together.

So far each of those layers has grown fast and somewhat separately. As we scale toward €500m+ net revenue and across new European markets, they need a single owner with a single vision — someone who runs the whole thing as one product, not a collection of projects and systems. That's you.

As VP Product & Engineering, you own KoRo's entire product and engineering org end-to-end. You lead a leadership team of Director Engineering, Director Data, and a Head of Digital Product, set the strategy, make the hard prioritization calls across competing domains, and are accountable for the outcomes the whole product delivers. You're a product leader first — one who also owns the engineering org that builds it.

What "Product" means at KoRo — read this carefully

Product here is not just the shop. It is the full surface that customers and teams run on, and you own all of it:

• The customer-facing D2C experience — discovery, storefront, checkout, account, subscription, retention. The thing millions of customers touch.
• ERP & operational backbone — the core systems that run inventory, fulfilment, finance, and operations. The unglamorous plumbing that has to just work as we scale and add markets.
• Integrations — the connective tissue between our systems and the outside world: retail partners, logistics, payments, marketing and commerce tools. Where complexity (and leverage) compounds as we grow.
• Data & AI: the data platform, customer intelligence, and the foundations that make the rest smarter. The asset that turns KoRo from "an online shop" into a data company.

If you think of "product" as only the front-end experience, this isn't the role. If you're excited to own the storefront and the ERP migration and the integration layer and the data foundation as one coherent system — keep reading.

What you'll do

• Set the product vision across the whole surface. One prioritized roadmap that balances customer experience, operational systems, integrations, and data — and the trade-offs between them.
• Drive the commercial outcomes that matter. Conversion, AOV, repeat rate, CLV on the front end; reliability, efficiency, and scalability on the back end. You connect every layer to the P&L.
• Lead and grow the org. A leadership team of Director Engineering, Director Data, and a Head of Product Management, and the teams beneath them; product, engineering, platform, integrations, and data. You shape the structure, hire and develop these leaders, and raise the bar on craft across all of it.
• Own engineering delivery. Through your Director Engineering, you're accountable for how — and how fast — we build: architecture quality, delivery velocity, reliability, and technical scalability across the front end and the operational backbone. Product vision without delivery is a wish list; you own both.
• Make the unsexy stuff excellent. Champion the ERP and integration work that doesn't make headlines but determines whether KoRo can scale across markets without breaking.
• Build a real experimentation culture. Make rigorous testing and rapid validation the default on the front end — right at home in KoRo's test-and-learn DNA.
• Power the flywheel. Improve the systems and data that let us launch, validate, and scale SKUs fast — turning our speed advantage into a structural one.
• Scale into new markets. Make the whole product surface work across our European footprint — localization, performance, and the operational and integration backbone behind it.
• Be the bridge to the business. Partner with marketing, commercial, operations, and finance — translating between what your org can build and what the business needs most, and making sure product, engineering, and data are pulling toward the same commercial goals.

Your profile

What you bring

• #1 — Deep product leadership (Director/VP level). This is the non-negotiable core: you are, first and foremost, an excellent product leader — ideally in D2C, e-commerce, or marketplace, in a fast-scaling environment. Everything else builds on this.
• You own engineering as a product leader, not the other way round. You've led or directly partnered with engineering at a level where you're accountable for delivery — and you can lead a Director Engineering with credibility — but your center of gravity is product.
• Genuine breadth across the surface: you've owned (or are clearly ready to own) more than the front-end — operational/ERP systems, integrations, and data, not just the customer-facing experience.
• A track record of owning products against hard commercial KPIs (conversion, retention, revenue) and operational ones (reliability, scalability, efficiency) — and moving them.
• Experience leading senior leaders and multi-disciplinary teams, with strong discovery, prioritization, and delivery instincts.
• Fluency with experimentation and data-informed decision-making — evidence over opinion.
• Enough technical depth to go deep with engineering on architecture and trade-offs across front-end and back-end systems, paired with strong commercial judgment.
• A pragmatic, ship-and-learn mindset that fits our culture — and the maturity to prioritize hard and say no.
• Fluent English; German is a plus.

What you can expect from us

Why KoRo

• A product with real reach and real depth. Your decisions show up for millions of customers and in the systems every team runs on.
• Direct line to impact. D2C-first means the product is the business — what you ship and scale moves the numbers, fast and visibly.
• Scale-up energy, real scale. 350+ people, multiple European markets, aggressive growth, and a lot of opportunity still ahead.
• Our way of working: quirky, playful, quick, down-to-earth — and seriously good at what we do. We're transparent about our wins and our fails.
• The usual good stuff: hybrid flexibility, a stocked KoRo snack supply, and a team that actually likes building things together.

Sounds good?

Then apply via our website, including all relevant documentation (CV & letter of motivation).
We are looking for team members, not just workers. Let us know in a few sentences who you are and what motivates you!

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Expert Career Tips for Director Data & AI Readiness (f/m/d) Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Director Data & AI Readiness (f/m/d), you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Director Data & AI Readiness (f/m/d) requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Berlin and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Berlin, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Director Data & AI Readiness (f/m/d) position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.