George Papadongonas

Head of Digital at AMC | Product & Digital Experience Leader | Driving AI-Optimized Platforms and Personalization at Scale

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

About

We are past the "Hype" phase of AI. We are now in the "Integration" phase—and this is where most organizations are breaking. My focus is not just on the technology, but on the orchestration of Advanced Tech and Human Behavior. With over 25 years in Digital Leadership and leading transformation at global enterprises like AMC and Vorwerk, I help organizations solve the three hardest problems in the AI era: 1. The Managerial Shift (AI & Leadership) How do we lead teams when a big part of the execution is done by agents? I help leaders transition from "managing tasks" to "orchestrating outcomes," redesigning workflows so humans remain the architects of value. 2. The "Augmented" Workforce (HR & Ops) Technology should not replace the experts; it should help automate processes and operating tasks. My work focuses on technology that empowers employees and turning average performers into high performers by automating the administrative burden. 3. Human-Centric CX Efficiency is useless if it kills empathy. I build Digital Customer Experiences that use AI for speed but keep Humans for connection. The goal is "Invisible Tech, Visible Care." My Background: - Deep Tech Roots: I don't just speak "Management"; I also speak "Engineer." I know when a technical proposal is viable and when it is vaporware. - Global Scale: Decades of experience managing complex, multi-market digital ecosystems with Swiss precision. - Currently serving as Head of Digital Transformation at AMC International. Always open to discussing the future of Work and CX.

Experience

  • Head of Digital Transformation at AMC International
    Mar 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    IoT & Product Ecosystem Strategy - Orchestrating the vision and delivery of the Cook&Go digital ecosystem. Transformed a standalone hardware product into a connected IoT experience. - Driving the SaaS strategy to complement hardware sales, creating sticky, recurring value for customers through guided cooking and digital recipe integration. AI Innovation & Personalization - Leading R&D initiatives in Generative AI for Personalized Nutrition. Improving the brand value proposition using data-driven customer insights. - Driving the data models required to deliver hyper-personalized user journeys at scale. Business Model Transformation - Launching and scaling Digital Subscription models, creating new digital revenue streams beyond the core physical product. - Creating global e-commerce strategies for providing additional value. Organizational Change & Leadership - Leading the cultural shift towards "Digital First." Managing the friction of transformation within a legacy organization. - Defining processes for AI adoption, ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces the human connection.

  • Vorwerk Group (9 yrs 2 mos)
    • Global Head of E-Business
      Jan 2018 - Mar 2023 · 5 yrs 3 mos

      • Created a strategic plan to increase sales and generate new leads by creating a running an e-commerce strategy. • Created a strategy for website optimization to increase conversion rates and drive up sales. • Organized and the company’s online advertising campaigns to generate traffic to the website. • Managed a team of product owners, business analysts and content managers and working closely with the analytics, UX and development teams. • Drove the product discovery, identified the customer needs and business objectives, defined OKRs, created and communicated the product vision and support the team to translate this into a product that brought value to customers. • Drove the digital part of the omnichannel strategy and integrated the E-business activities with the direct sales force and retail stores.

    • International Online and CRM Manager Thermomix
      Feb 2014 - Dec 2017 · 3 yrs 11 mos

      • Created the product vision and roadmap of the Thermomix websites and e-commerce platforms. • Defined and prioritized the features to be developed and led the development teams to execution. • Ensured quality and security controls during development and implementation processes in the countries • Controlled the annual online budget and negotiated with agencies. • Collaborated with the local online teams and aligned the international goals with the country targets.

  • Digital Project Manager at Amazee
    Apr 2012 - Jan 2014 · 1 yr 10 mos

    • Managed web development and digital marketing projects for external customers. • Developed and maintained KPIs for measuring the performance of digital platforms. • Provided actionable insights through data analysis and A/B testing, • Managed attribution Modeling for digital platforms, and created digital dashboards. • Implemented and customized web analytics software.

  • Owner at Infowonders
    Oct 2000 - Mar 2012 · 11 yrs 6 mos

    • Founded the company from the ground up, including developing brand awareness, growth plan, sales strategy and business development. • Provided and managed agency services for SEO, Google Adwords, Google Analytics, Conversion Optimization, Drupal CMS and Magento development. • Planned and implemented marketing campaigns to accomplish sales and communication objectives.

  • Owner at Smallbusiness.gr
    Mar 2008 - Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Consulting and project management for EU & National Funding programs