Role Brief:
We are looking for Forward Deployed AI Engineers (FDEs) to partner with one of the nation's largest restaurant networks to redefine supply chain and store operations using AI and agentic workflows.
This role goes beyond traditional engineering. You will work directly with supply chain managers, procurement leaders, and technology teams to design, build, and deploy AI agents that transform how food logistics and restaurant operations function, while enabling teams to become AI-native and self-sufficient.
Based in Chicago, you will operate at the intersection of AI, engineering, and consumer supply chain logistics, delivering real-world impact across critical restaurant workflows.
You will work on transforming core operational processes such as:
✓ Demand Forecasting & Inventory Optimization: AI-driven predictive ordering to minimize food waste, optimize perishable inventory, and prevent stockouts based on weather, local events, and historical trends.
✓ Procurement & Supplier Management: Automating purchase order intake, invoice reconciliation, and dynamic sourcing when primary vendors face shortages.
✓ Logistics & Cold-Chain Orchestration: Intelligent agents for route optimization, delivery tracking, and automating responses to transit delays.
✓ Franchisee & Store Support Operations: AI contact center agents for rapid resolution of store-level supply issues, equipment maintenance dispatch, and delivery disputes.
✓ Menu Costing & Commodity Tracking: Automated mapping of ingredient lists to fluctuating global commodity prices to maintain margin visibility.
✓ Food Safety & Quality Compliance: Automated tracking, anomaly detection, and reporting of temperature logs and supplier audit analysis.
Key Responsibilities:
• Reimagine and redesign supply chain and restaurant operations using AI-first principles.
• Identify opportunities to replace or augment manual workflows (e.g., inventory audits, vendor negotiations) with AI agents.
• Partner with business stakeholders to translate logistical bottlenecks into working AI solutions.
• Design, build, and deploy AI agents for enterprise supply chain workflows.
• Implement multi-agent systems using LLMs (prompting, memory, tool usage).
• Rapidly prototype and productionize solutions using platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google (Gemini)
• Embed directly with client teams (supply chain operators + IT) to whiteboard solutions on the warehouse floor or corporate office, build prototypes in days/weeks, deploy and iterate rapidly based on real-world operator feedback, operate as a trusted advisor + builder, not just a back-office developer.
• Leverage AI across the full software lifecycle: code generation and refactoring for legacy logistics systems, automated testing and validation, documentation and observability, drive productivity improvements across engineering teams.
• Train procurement, logistics, and store ops teams to use AI tools and agents effectively in their day-to-day, build and iterate workflows independently, develop reusable playbooks and frameworks for future supply chain disruptions.
Required Skills & Experience:
• 6–12+ years of experience in software engineering, AI, or related fields.
• Prior experience in client-facing or consulting roles preferred.
• Strong software engineering background (Python, APIs, microservices).
• Experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, and AI frameworks.
• Familiarity with agent frameworks (LangChain, Semantic Kernel, etc.).
• Cloud experience with: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft (Azure)
• Experience building AI/ML or LLM-powered applications.
• Understanding of structured + unstructured data pipelines (crucial for dealing with diverse supplier data).
• Knowledge of model evaluation, monitoring, and governance.
• Ability to work directly with business stakeholders (from warehouse managers to corporate VPs).
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative delivery.
• Experience in food & beverage, restaurant, or retail supply chain environments.
• Understanding of procurement, logistics, or inventory management workflows.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations or cold-chain compliance.
What Makes This Role Unique:
• Work at the forefront of AI-driven enterprise transformation in the massive food service sector.
• Build real-world AI agents that replace traditional, fragile supply chain workflows.
• Operate in a forward-deployed model with direct business impact on how food reaches consumers.
• Opportunity to scale from small tactical pods to enterprise-wide logistics transformation programs.
Success Metrics:
• Number of supply chain workflows transformed using AI.
• Reduction in manual effort, food waste, or supply chain bottlenecks.
• Adoption of AI tools by procurement and operations teams.
• Speed of prototyping → production deployment.
Nice to Have:
• Experience with healthcare platforms (claims, CRM, contact center)
• Exposure to tools like Salesforce, ServiceNow, or Epic integrations
• Prior experience with companies like Palantir Technologies or similar forward-deployed models
