Head of AI
Healthy U
Quick Take
Lead Healthy U's organization-wide AI transformation by identifying high-impact opportunities, building AI solutions across retail, supply chain, and logistics, and embedding AI capabilities into business functions.
8–12 years of AI/digital transformation leadership experience, proven success implementing AI in retail/FMCG/logistics, and strong ability to partner with senior business leaders.
Opportunity to drive enterprise-scale AI transformation across a diversified Kenyan company with presence in retail, warehousing, and distribution; significant strategic influence and team-building authority.
Job Description
Healthy U is a dynamic organization operating across retail, wholesale, HORECA, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain sectors in Kenya. The company is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to drive operational excellence and business transformation across all its functions.
As the Head of AI, you will spearhead Healthy U's AI transformation agenda, identifying high-impact opportunities and embedding AI capabilities throughout the organization. This is a senior leadership role that bridges business strategy, operations, technology, and innovation to deliver measurable value.
- Lead the end-to-end AI transformation strategy across the entire organization.
- Identify and develop AI and automation solutions for Retail Operations, Warehousing and Distribution Centres, HORECA, and Wholesale Operations.
- Drive AI adoption within Supply Chain and Logistics functions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Embed AI capabilities across all Business Enablement Functions including HR, Finance, IT, Procurement, Legal, Administration, Commercial, Marketing, and Customer Experience.
- Partner with senior business leaders to design and implement transformation initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
- Lead and manage cross-functional, enterprise-wide AI and digital transformation projects.
- Build and mentor an internal AI team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Evaluate emerging AI technologies and assess their applicability to Healthy U's business environment.
- Establish governance frameworks, ethical AI guidelines, and performance metrics for AI initiatives.
- Communicate AI strategy, progress, and outcomes to executive stakeholders and the board.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
- A Master's Degree in AI, Analytics, Technology, or Business Administration is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 8–12 years of experience in AI, analytics, automation, digital transformation, or technology leadership roles.
- Proven track record of implementing AI and automation solutions within retail, FMCG, logistics, warehousing, supply chain, or enterprise environments.
- Strong understanding of business operations and Business Enablement Functions.
- Demonstrated success in partnering with business leaders to drive transformation.
- Extensive experience leading cross-functional and enterprise-wide projects.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Information Systems, or Engineering
- 8–12 years of hands-on experience in AI, analytics, automation, or digital transformation leadership
- Proven track record implementing AI/automation solutions in retail, FMCG, logistics, warehousing, or supply chain
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, enterprise-wide projects and partner with C-suite stakeholders
- Strong understanding of business operations and business enablement functions (HR, Finance, IT, Procurement, Legal, Marketing, Customer Experience)
Nice to Have
- Master's degree in AI, Analytics, Technology, or Business Administration
- Experience in Kenyan or East African market dynamics
- Track record of building and mentoring internal AI teams
- Familiarity with governance frameworks and ethical AI guidelines
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Salary Context
Salary not specified — likely market-competitive for senior AI leadership in Kenya
Head of AI roles in Nairobi typically command premium compensation due to scarcity of qualified talent. At this seniority level (8–12 years) and scope (enterprise-wide transformation), expect above-average pay for the Kenyan market, though competition from fintech and tech hubs may raise expectations.
About Healthy U
Healthy U is a diversified, multi-sector Kenyan enterprise operating across retail, wholesale, HORECA, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain. The company is actively investing in cutting-edge technology and AI to drive operational excellence and competitive advantage across its footprint. Joining Healthy U offers the rare opportunity to shape AI strategy at scale across a complex, real-world business environment in one of East Africa's largest markets.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a large-scale AI transformation you've led: what was the business problem, which solutions did you implement, and what measurable outcomes did you achieve?
- 2
How would you approach identifying and prioritizing high-impact AI opportunities across our retail, warehousing, supply chain, and business enablement functions?
- 3
Tell us about your experience building and scaling internal AI teams. How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?
- 4
What governance frameworks and ethical guidelines would you establish for AI initiatives at Healthy U, and how would you communicate AI risks to the board?
- 5
Describe your experience partnering with C-level stakeholders and business unit leaders on transformation initiatives. How do you ensure alignment with organizational goals?
Application Tips
Lead with quantified impact: highlight specific AI/automation projects where you delivered measurable ROI, cost savings, or efficiency gains in retail, supply chain, or logistics environments.
Emphasize cross-functional leadership: showcase experience building teams, managing enterprise projects, and gaining buy-in from senior business leaders across multiple departments.
Demonstrate sector alignment: if you have FMCG, retail, warehousing, or supply chain experience, make it prominent—this company values deep operational understanding, not just AI expertise.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, C-level visibility: reporting to senior leadership and the board, with stated responsibility for communicating AI strategy—genuine executive backing.
- Enterprise scope and impact: opportunity to embed AI across 8+ business functions and multiple operational sectors, offering significant strategic influence.
- Explicit team-building mandate: role includes building and mentoring an internal AI team, suggesting investment in long-term capability, not just short-term consulting.
- Diversified business environment: retail, supply chain, HORECA, and distribution present rich, varied use cases—attractive for someone seeking breadth and complex problem-solving.
Watch Out
- Salary not specified: this is unusual for a senior C-adjacent role and may reflect budget uncertainty or the company's first time hiring at this level. Clarify compensation early in the process.
- Extremely broad remit: the role spans retail, warehousing, supply chain, HORECA, wholesale, and all business enablement functions simultaneously—ensure clarity on priorities and resource allocation before accepting.
- No mention of AI maturity baseline: unclear whether Healthy U has existing AI infrastructure, data governance, or capability; you may inherit legacy systems or start from scratch.
A Day in the Life
Your week blends strategy, stakeholder management, and hands-on technology oversight. Monday opens with a cross-functional steering committee meeting reviewing AI project progress across retail operations and supply chain logistics; Wednesday you mentor your growing AI team on a machine learning model for warehouse optimization while preparing a board-ready briefing on emerging AI technologies and ROI. You spend Thursday in deep-dives with supply chain and HORECA business leaders to identify next-quarter transformation priorities, and Friday consolidates governance decisions, ethical guidelines, and metrics with your leadership peers in IT, Finance, and Commercial. Throughout, you're operating between spreadsheets, technical architecture diagrams, and boardroom presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be Head of AI at Healthy U?
A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related field, plus 8–12 years of AI, analytics, or digital transformation leadership experience. A master's degree is preferred. Most critically, you need a proven track record implementing AI solutions in retail, FMCG, supply chain, or logistics and the ability to partner with senior business leaders.
Is the Head of AI role at Healthy U remote or office-based?
The posting specifies Nairobi as the location, implying an office-based or hybrid model. Clarify work arrangements (fully on-site, hybrid flexibility, remote options) during your interviews, as this is not explicitly stated.
How much does a Head of AI earn at Healthy U?
The posting does not specify salary. Based on the seniority level and Kenyan market standards for enterprise AI leadership, you can expect somewhere between KES 450,000 and 750,000 per month gross, but negotiate based on your experience and the company's final offer.
What are the career growth opportunities after this role?
This role is a natural stepping stone to CTO, CDO, Chief Innovation Officer, or board-level advisory positions at larger organizations. You'll also build a strong track record in enterprise AI transformation that opens doors across sectors.
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