Retail Vertical Leader – Store Modernization, Managed Services & Retail AI (SSG)
Within Lenovo’s Solutions and Services Group (SSG), we are building industry-first solutions that combine infrastructure, edge, and AI to deliver measurable outcomes.
We are seeking a Retail Vertical Leader to define, industrialize, and scale differentiated Retail solutions—turning real store and field problems into repeatable offerings delivered globally.
This leader brings deep retail credibility across store and field operations, and retail technology (store systems, edge, and infrastructure), with fluency in store modernization, POS platforms, networks/connectivity, endpoint lifecycle, observability, cybersecurity, workforce enablement, and Retail AI. You will shape where we play and what we build—creating outcome-based solutions retailers can deploy across fleets of stores and regions.
This Director level role reports to the Global Vice President of Sales – Global Accounts & Verticals and carries end-to-end accountability for Retail solution strategy, offerings, and growth.
In one line: An industry-first builder who understands how retail actually runs—and can translate store, associate, customer, and supply chain constraints into scalable Omnichannel, Store Modernization, and Retail AI solutions that win lighthouse customers and scale globally.
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Key Responsibilities
Retail Solution Strategy, Offering Build, & Scale
- Own Lenovo’s Retail solution strategy and portfolio—define, industrialize, and scale differentiated offerings that retailers can deploy repeatedly across stores, markets, and brands
- Select focus areas and sub-vertical plays based on store realities and value pools (e.g., shrink reduction, uptime/availability, labor productivity, conversion/queue reduction, compliance/safety, and the cost to operate store technology at scale)
- Translate store workflows and data flows (store edge compute, POS, payments peripherals, inventory signals, network/SD-WAN, endpoint telemetry, video, IoT sensors) into repeatable reference architectures, implementation patterns, and outcome-based offers
- Build differentiated solutions spanning store modernization and managed services (store edge, endpoints, networks, observability, and cybersecurity) plus Retail AI—strong preference for computer vision and edge AI use cases (shrink/loss prevention, shelf availability, queue/checkout optimization, and exception detection)
- Create new plays and solution-led motions: ICP, use-case narratives, value models, delivery approach, and enablement for sales and partners
- Differentiate Lenovo in Retail by leading with outcomes (store uptime, shrink reduction, improved in-stock/availability, associate productivity, and improved CX through reduced friction) and proving ROI from pilots through chain-wide rollouts
- Scale what works: standardize packaging, pricing/consumption models, partner motions, and delivery assets so offerings are repeatable, supportable, and globally scalable
Lighthouse Customers & Solution-Led Growth
- Land and expand lighthouse retailers, proving measurable outcomes and converting pilots into standardized, multi-site deployments
- Create a strong pipeline through solution-led motions (use-case plays, co-sell with partners, executive value stories) rather than product-led selling
- Earn credibility with CIO, CDO, COO, and store/field leadership by speaking the language of store operations, merchandising, digital, and supply chain—and aligning stakeholders from store edge to enterprise
- Build reference wins, value proof points, and reusable assets that make solutions easier to sell, deliver, and scale
Team Leadership & Organizational Alignment
- Lead and evolve a multi-disciplinary Retail vertical team, including Offering Development, Solutions Architects, and specialized Retail Sales Executives
- Align teams across offering innovation, technical solutioning, and sales execution to deliver integrated, outcome-based solutions
- Strengthen team capabilities to support both portfolio enhancement and next-stage growth (store edge, security, managed services, data/AI, omnichannel)
- Recruit and develop talent to match the technical and domain depth required in modern retail environments
- Establish clear accountability and operating rhythms to drive performance and collaboration
Ecosystem & Cross-Functional Orchestration
- Partner with Product, Offerings, Engineering, Delivery, and Marketing to shape roadmap, create retail-ready deliverables, and remove barriers to scale
- Build and orchestrate the ecosystem (POS/payment ISVs, store networking/SD-WAN providers, observability platforms, video/camera & vision ISVs, hyperscalers, and SIs/MSPs) across store edge, managed services, security, and Retail AI
- Align global and regional teams around Retail vertical priorities and execution plans
- Develop partner-led motions and co-sell plays that accelerate adoption and enable multi-country rollouts
Operational Excellence
- Own vertical outcomes and performance, with emphasis on solution adoption, chain-wide scale, revenue, margin, and customer impact
- Use customer and market signals to refine plays, improve delivery repeatability, and inform product/offer roadmap decisions
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What success looks like in 12–24 months
- 2–3 scaled, repeatable Retail solutions in market, with clear value models and delivery assets (e.g., store modernization & managed services for edge/endpoints/networks/observability, and Retail AI for loss prevention & shelf availability)
- 3–5 lighthouse retailers with measurable outcomes (e.g., shrink reduction, improved store tech uptime, improved in-stock/availability, reduced queue time/friction, and improved associate productivity)
- A strong pipeline driven primarily by solution-led motions and partner co-sell
- Established credibility with CIO/CDO/COO and store/field leadership as a trusted retail operator/technologist
Basic Qualifications
- 12–15+ years leading Retail-focused technology solutions, services, or productized offerings, including direct engagement with retail business and technology stakeholders
- Proven ability to build and scale differentiated Retail solutions (from concept to repeatable offer), not just sell pre-existing services
- Deep familiarity with store technology architectures and operating models (store edge and networks, POS and peripherals, endpoint lifecycle and support, observability, cybersecurity, and video/vision data flows)
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Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience in retail environments (store operations, field leadership, merchandising, omnichannel/digital, supply chain, or retail IT)
- Demonstrated leadership in store modernization programs leveraging store edge, managed services, network modernization, endpoint strategy, and security/resilience requirements
- Strong “builder” track record: creating new plays, shaping offers, and influencing product/partner direction in a matrixed global organization
- Strong preference for experience delivering computer vision and edge AI in retail at scale (e.g., shrink/loss prevention, shelf availability/on-shelf analytics, queue/checkout optimization, and exception detection), including deployment, monitoring, and ongoing model operations
- Comfort operating with ambiguity and driving alignment across global, matrixed teams spanning product, engineering, delivery, and sales
This role offers the flexibility to be home-based anywhere in the U.S. with preference for the Eastern or Central time zones. If you're near our Chicago or Raleigh offices, we follow a friendly hybrid model with three days a week in the office—great for collaboration and connection!
The base salary range budgeted for this position is $200,000 to $300,000. Individuals may also be considered for bonuses and/or commissions. Lenovo’s various benefits can be found at www.lenovobenefits.com.
In compliance with Colorado's EPEWA, the expected Application Deadline for this position is 5/20/2026 – this applies to both internal and external candidates
