Head of Innovation

Harnham; United States; Remote; USD 300,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A top-tier organization in the food industry is seeking a Head of Innovation to transform the fast food experience through AI and robotics. This executive role requires innovative leadership to drive the development of cutting-edge technologies and redefine operational excellence. You will align initiatives with business goals while collaborating across departments and leading a talented team of professionals. This position offers the unique opportunity to create impactful and revolutionary systems that will shape the industry.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in innovation, tech leadership, or product development.
• Deep expertise in AI/ML and robotics for operational applications.
• Background in QSR, foodtech, logistics, or automation valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and execution of AI and robotics solutions in fast food.
• Design and implement a multi-year innovation roadmap.
• Collaborate with leaders across multiple functions for integration.

Skills

Innovation Leadership

AI/ML

Robotics

Customer Personalization

Strategic Mindset

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

10+ years in Innovation, Tech Leadership, or Product Development

Job description

This range is provided by Harnham. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$300,000.00/yr - $350,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Harnham

Senior Recruitment Consultant (Phoenix) at Harnham

Head of Innovation- AI

Remote, USA

$300-350,000 + Bonus

About the Company:

This fast-growing, forward-thinking organization is reimagining every facet of the fast food experience. By integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous delivery, the company is creating seamless, intelligent systems that drive speed, personalization, and operational excellence. Backed by a strong innovation mandate and a bold vision for the future, the company is investing in transformative technologies that reshape the industry.

About the Role:

The Head of Innovation Center will lead the strategy and execution of cutting-edge solutions that redefine the fast food experience, from kitchen robotics and autonomous delivery to predictive AI and customer personalization. This is not a role for someone following a playbook; it’s for someone ready to write a new one.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation Leadership

• Design and implement a multi-year innovation roadmap centered on AI, kitchen robotics, and autonomous delivery.
• Align initiatives with strategic business goals to drive measurable productivity gains and customer satisfaction.
• Identify, pilot, and scale robotic cooking and food prep solutions.
• Ensure smooth integration with kitchen operations, safety protocols, and inventory systems.
• Deploy AI for predictive ordering, personalization, voice/NLP drive-thru, and computer vision for quality control.
• Integrate AI into core business systems and data architecture to deliver real-time insights and intelligent automation.

Autonomous Delivery Strategy

• Launch and expand partnerships with autonomous delivery providers and robotaxi platforms.
• Address regulatory, technical, and customer experience challenges to scale deployment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with leaders across Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, IT, Emerging Brands, and Franchise Development.
• Build partnerships with tech providers and lead a multidisciplinary innovation team focused on robotics, AI/ML, systems integration, and product development.

What You Bring:

• 10+ years of experience in innovation, tech leadership, or product development roles.
• Track record of launching AI, robotics, or autonomous mobility solutions at scale.
• Deep expertise in:
• Robotics (especially in food or industrial settings)
• AI/ML for customer or operational applications
• Autonomous delivery or mobility platforms
• Industry background in QSR, foodtech, logistics, or automation is highly valued.
• A strategic mindset with strong commercial instincts—capable of turning ideas into measurable business outcomes.
• Strong communicator and influential leader who can align internal teams and external partners around bold initiatives.
• A challenger mindset—someone who questions norms, sees opportunities where others don’t, and moves fast to seize them.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• High Impact: Drive change at the intersection of emerging tech and real-world operations.
• Full Ownership: Lead end-to-end—from vision and strategy to hands-on execution.
• Innovator’s Playground: Work with cutting-edge partners in AI, robotics, and mobility.
• Cross-Disciplinary Team: Lead a talented group of technologists, engineers, and builders.
• Industry Transformation: Be part of something bigger—reshaping the fast food experience for millions.

If you're ready to build the future rather than inherit the past, this is your next big move.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Strategy/Planning

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Retail and Technology, Information and Media

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Harnham by 2x

Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

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