Ai Optimization Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Manager, Artificial Intelligence leads the development, execution, and ongoing evolution of Ocean Spray’s enterprise AI strategy. The role plays a critical part in driving initial awareness, adoption, and value, particularly through Microsoft Copilot, SAP, and other AI tools. It oversees the full AI portfolio, identifying and prioritizing high‑value use cases that deliver measurable business impact while building the foundational processes and capabilities needed for long‑term growth. The leader manages a small team of AI practitioners and works closely with IT, business functions, and external partners to design and deploy AI solutions that leverage enterprise applications, tools, and data. The role ensures all AI initiatives align with business goals, follow responsible AI practices, and support organizational transformation.

• Develop and refine the enterprise AI strategy in alignment with cooperative business priorities.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize high‑impact AI opportunities across Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Corporate, and IT.
• Build business cases that quantify expected outcomes, ROI, risks, and success metrics.
• Lead execution of the AI portfolio to ensure delivery of measurable value.
• Strengthen AI governance, security, and responsible AI practices.
• Provide clear updates, portfolio reporting, and executive communications.

• Partner with Data Engineering, Cloud/Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Data Governance, and Cybersecurity teams to architect scalable AI solutions.
• Contribute hands‑on to solution design, prototyping, model evaluation, and prompt engineering.
• Support implementation of MLOps and model lifecycle practices with platform teams.
• Ensure operationalization, monitoring, and performance optimization of AI solutions.
• Provide technical direction to data scientists, ML engineers, IT product owners, and other contributors.

• Serve as a champion for AI awareness and adoption across the cooperative, especially focusing on embedding Microsoft Copilot, SAP, Workday and other approved tools into processes and workflows.
• Support change management efforts to drive adoption of AI‑enabled improvements.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external vendors to introduce leading tools and methods.
• Foster a collaborative, learning‑oriented team environment.

• Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts (supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, generative AI, optimization, predictive modeling).
• Ability to prototype or evaluate AI models and prompts using tools such as Python and SQL.
• Familiarity with enterprise AI platforms, cloud technologies, MLOps, and responsible AI frameworks.
• Solid knowledge of data engineering fundamentals, data quality, and integration.
• Experience with enterprise systems such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP IBP/SAC, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Maximo or SAP EAM/APM, Workday, and Azure services.

• Strong ability to evaluate business needs and size opportunities.
• Skilled at translating complex technical concepts into business‑friendly language.
• Capable of managing complex initiatives while balancing short‑ and long‑term priorities.

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop AI talent.
• Strong cross‑functional influence and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound decision‑making and adaptability in dynamic environments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences.
• Able to articulate value, risks, progress, and recommendations clearly.
• Experience supporting change management related to AI adoption.

Education: Bachelor's or University Degree (Required)

Work Experience: At least 7 Years of Experience

Annual Salary: $128,000 - $176,000

• Complete insurance package on Day‑1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Life and accident insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Telehealth services
• 1:1 health coaching
• Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year‑end
• Short‑Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro‑rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back‑up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

For MA Applicants – It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Any employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.