Solution Practice Lead- Advanced Computing (Manufacturing/Retail Vertical)

This position is part of CDW's Hybrid Infrastructure Practice, a single-source provider to our clients for all things Advanced Computing, Networking, Wireless, & Data Center. The Advanced Computing Practice Lead is responsible for practice development, assisting with planning go-to-market strategies, acting as a liaison between CDW and key advanced computing partners, and mentoring coworkers on artificial intelligence (AI), high performance compute (HPC) and machine learning (ML) technologies. This position is also responsible for assisting with the introduction of new services and working with the services delivery practice to develop capabilities in the field. The Advanced Computing Practice Lead is also responsible for driving sales growth by increasing the awareness of advanced computing solutions within CDW's sales teams, and through direct customer interaction. This position is dedicated to our Manufacturing and Manufacturing and Retail focused teams to drive vertical-appropriate advanced computing solutions for our customers while engaging with the Advanced Computing team to drive the CDW opinion for advanced computing for all customer verticals.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Develop key go-to-market materials and strategies around advanced computing solutions for the Manufacturing and Retail industry verticals. These would include Statement of Work templates, Services Calculators, Technical training curriculum, Battle Cards, Sell Sheets, and Needs Gathering Documents.
• Responsible for the development of vertical specific solutions to support AI, HPC and ML workloads for the Manufacturing and Retail industry verticals.
• Lead technical Peer Review sessions around advanced computing proposals.
• Develop Peer Review thresholds for advanced computing proposals.
• Act as an advanced computing subject matter expert for strategic customer visits.
• Develop and conduct advanced computing trainings for technical and non-technical audiences, including sales, Solution Architects and customers.
• Review and validate vendor trainings and materials around advanced computing solutions.
• Review and propose new AI, HPC and ML workloads and solutions that the team should focus on.
• Review existing advanced computing products and solutions to ensure we're focusing on the best products for our customers.
• Assist with the development of a RFP/RFI process and response development.
• Work with our delivery team and focus partners to refine and develop advanced computing best practices.
• Act as a point of contact to communicate advanced computing best practices to and from the team.
• Be a subject matter expert about the advanced computing industry, including products, applications, technical service, market conditions, competitive activities, advertising and promotional trends through the reading of pertinent literature and consulting with marketing and technical services. Maintain credible knowledge of competing data center technologies and solutions.
• Work with other CDW Solution Architect Practices including Security, Managed Services and Digital Velocity to develop customer solutions.
• Understand client business drivers and needs. Provide input on strategies to drive revenue for advanced computing solutions.
• Conduct presentations online and in-person to existing and potential customers. Facilitate and perform demos for clients.
• Be responsible for maintaining vendor partner relationship, attend trainings and seminars, and keep sales organization updated on market trends and best practices as they relate to advanced computing solutions.
• Attend CDW led marketing efforts including manufacturer trade/partner shows, regional technology seminars, and sales events. Provide support with speaking engagements when appropriate.
• 80% customer opportunity focused
• 20% supporting field enablement, marketing creation, workshops, labs, POCs and partner outreach
• Must be willing to travel up to 50% as needed.

Education and/or Experience Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or the equivalent in experience
• Five years of solution experience in focus technology
• Additional Minimum Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • Industry-specific knowledge of advanced computing solutions for the Manufacturing and Retail verticals
  • Technical proficiency around HPC and AI infrastructure design principles
  • High performance computing at scale experience
  • Proper skills with GPU solutions, high performance networking (i.e., InfiniBand), Linux, workload scheduling with SLURM and/or Kubernetes,
  • GPU-accelerated computing solutions and infrastructure automation
  • Demonstratable success at building and selling advance computing solutions for customers
  
  
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and group presentation skills including consulting skills
• Strong communication skills both orally and written with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders and various cross functional teams as well as customers
• Strong passion for learning and teaching others
• Proven group presentation skills
• Motivated self-starter with passion for developing and delivering new solution offerings
• Ability to think creatively and come up with proactive ideas that will increase sales
• Proven ability to proactively collaborate and build relationships, take initiative, and creatively problem solve
• Ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously and adapt to the changing needs of the business while meeting deadlines
• Concentrate on certain areas of technology driven by company technology objectives
• Consulting and Pre-Sales experience
• Applicant should demonstrate solid attention to detail and a penchant for accuracy
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% to other CDW locations and client sites
• Ability to understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions or other information. Ability to organize thoughts and ideas into understandable terminology. Ability to multi-task, organize and prioritize. Ability to apply common sense in performing job. Ability to understand and follow basic instructions and guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in technology sales
• Experience working in a fast-paced work environment
• Additional Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of or experience with Python, C/C++, Bash, and Linux utilities
• Experience through projects or open-source contributions involving GPU workloads, Kubernetes, InfiniBand, Ethernet, or other areas related to high-performance clusters and hybrid cloud solutions
• Knowledge of software stacks available from GPU manufacturers such as NVIDIA AI Enterprise, Base Command Manager and NEMO cloud native framework