AI Manager

at Ace Hardware in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Ace Hardware Corporation seeks experienced and driven technologists with a strong blend of business acumen, strong interpersonal skills, and technical expertise in analytics, big data, machine learning, and generative artificial intelligence. You will work intimately with our technical and business teams to facilitate the successful deployment and scaling of AI solutions.

Job Description

As an AI Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of AI solutions using various tools and platforms.

You will work closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, and external partners to identify, prioritize, and deliver AI use cases that create value and impact.

You will also provide guidance and mentorship to AI engineers and analysts, ensuring best practices and standards are followed.

Skills and Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, engineering, data science, mathematics, or a related field.

At least 5 years of experience in AI, machine learning, or data science, with hands-on skills in Python, R, or other programming languages.

Experience with AI platforms and tools, such as DataBricks, TensorFlow, Generative AI tools and Microsoft Co-pilot.

Experience with generative AI, such as text, image, or video generation, synthesis, or manipulation.

Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive AI initiatives from ideation to deployment.

A passion for innovation and a vision for how AI can transform business.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the AI strategy and roadmap for the organization, aligning with the business goals and priorities.

Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of AI projects, from scoping, data collection, model development, testing, deployment, to monitoring and maintenance. Track the progress and adherence to delivery timelines of the projects, identifying any deviations or risks.

Collaborate with business stakeholders, IT teams, and external partners to understand business problems, define the AI requirements, and deliver the AI solutions.

Lead and mentor a team of AI engineers and analysts, providing technical guidance, feedback, and coaching.

Establish and enforce the AI governance, policies, and standards, ensuring the quality, security, ethics, and compliance of the AI solutions.

Research and evaluate the latest AI trends, technologies, and best practices, and apply them to the organization’s AI initiatives.

AI Advocacy promoting the importance and potential of Generative AI showcasing the art of the possible. \#LI-CS1

Compensation Details:

$151600 – $197100 per year

Why should you join our team?

We live our values – W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

In addition to providing our employees a great culture, Ace also offers competitive benefits* that address life’s necessities and perks, many of which expand and improve year after year, including:

+ Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)

+ Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met). Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 9.6% of total eligible compensation

+ Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short-term disability and long-term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents

+ 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire

+ Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions

+ Your career at Ace is more than just a job. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. We help locally-owned businesses thrive and make an impact in their communities – and we support our employees in doing the same by offering an annual Ace Cares Week, 20 hours off work per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice, opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation

+ Ace invests in every employee we hire, with a key focus on development and coaching. We offer on-site classes, facilitator-led courses, and a generous tuition assistance program, plus a performance management approach that goes beyond the typical annual review

+ We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales

+ We bring them to you! Services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling and more!

+ Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), travel, fitness, computers and thousands more

+ Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off

+ Adoption cost reimbursement

+ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events

+ Identity theft protection

* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies.

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We want to hear from you!

When most people think of career opportunities with Ace Hardware, they often think of the helpful cashiers and sales associates at their local store. However, have you also considered the people behind the scenes who select, promote, ship and process the invoices for more than 75,000 products? Maybe you haven’t, but we’d like you to. Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Come find out why a career with the Ace Hardware Corporation is one of America’s best kept secrets.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Disclaimer

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual’s education, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

_Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online j