Ad, Robotics Planning & Business Strategy

Chewy Chewy · Retail · MA

This role focuses on defining and executing the partnerships and business development strategy for robotics and humanoids at Chewy, aligning with the company's Physical AI priorities. The individual will identify, qualify, and pursue strategic relationships globally, represent Chewy externally, and structure engagement models. The role also involves translating external opportunities into internal recommendations and maintaining market intelligence on robotics advancements. While the company has AI priorities, the core function of this role is strategic partnerships and business development, not direct AI/ML model development or deployment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define and execute the partnerships and business development strategy for robotics and humanoids, aligned to Chewy’s Physical AI priorities.
  2. Identify, qualify, and pursue new strategic relationships globally, expanding Chewy’s access to capabilities, roadmaps, and collaboration opportunities.
  3. Serve as a senior external representative for Chewy Robotics with founders, executives, and technical leaders, communicating our priorities with clarity, credibility, and sound judgment.
  4. Structure engagement models that can include executive relationship building, technical exchanges, pilots, evaluations, and longer-term agreements, while partnering with legal and leadership on sensitive topics and reputational risk.
  5. Deliver compelling external narratives through high-impact presentations, panels, and partner-facing briefings at conferences, executive forums, and customer or partner sites.

Skills

Required

  • Significant experience leading strategic partnerships and business development in a technical or deep-tech domain
  • Track record of opening and expanding senior external relationships and converting them into business outcomes
  • Demonstrated executive presence and ability to represent an organization independently in high-stakes external settings
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to communicate technical topics credibly and align diverse stakeholders
  • Strong public speaking and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to operate autonomously in ambiguous environments, set direction, and close loops without direct supervision
  • Comfort working across time zones and traveling for partner engagement, including international travel as needed

Nice to have

  • Experience in robotics, automation, AI infrastructure, or adjacent deep-tech ecosystems
  • Technical fluency demonstrated through education or professional experience
  • Ability to engage meaningfully with engineering and research leaders
  • Experience building partnerships with international companies and navigating cross-cultural business dynamics
  • Mandarin or Cantonese proficiency
  • MBA or equivalent experience demonstrating strong business judgment and strategic thinking

What the JD emphasized

  • Physical AI priorities
  • humanoid robotics
  • warehouse autonomy
  • mobile manipulation
  • bi-manual manipulation of heavy deformable objects
  • robotics
  • automation
  • AI infrastructure