Artificial Intelligence Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quanex is seeking an Artificial Intelligence Manager to join our team in Akron, OH or Houston, TX.

The Artificial Intelligence Manager will be responsible for developing, governing, and leading the enterprise artificial intelligence strategy for Quanex, with a focus on practical implementation across manufacturing operations, corporate functions, and business processes. This role will partner with IT, Operations, Engineering, Finance, HR, Legal, and business leadership to identify high-value AI opportunities, prioritize use cases, guide responsible adoption, and deliver measurable business outcomes. The position requires a strategic planner with strong business acumen, technical fluency, change leadership, and demonstrated experience implementing AI-enabled solutions in a manufacturing organization.

We Offer You!

• Competitive Salary
• 401K Match w/ 2-year vesting period
• Bonus Potential
• Medical, Dental & Vision Plans
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Various Work Schedules
• Tuition Assistance
• Wellness/Fitness Resources
• Training/Development
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Dynamic Culture & People - just to name a few!

What’s attractive about the Artificial Intelligence Manager position?

• Enterprise-wide impact: Lead Quanex’s AI strategy and help shape how AI is used across manufacturing operations, corporate functions, and business processes.
• Opportunity to build: Establish the company’s AI roadmap, governance framework, policies, standards, and operating model from the ground up.
• Manufacturing-focused innovation: Apply AI to real-world challenges such as predictive maintenance, quality inspection, production planning, process optimization, supply chain, and plant productivity.

What Success Looks Like:

• A clear, prioritized enterprise AI strategy and roadmap is established and aligned with business objectives.
• A sustainable AI governance framework is in place, with defined processes for evaluating, approving, monitoring, and managing AI initiatives.
• A pipeline of high-value AI use cases is identified, prioritized, and converted into successful pilots and production implementations.
• AI solutions are delivering measurable business outcomes, including productivity improvements, cost reductions, quality gains, improved forecasting, reduced downtime, and better decision-making.
• Manufacturing plants and business functions are successfully adopting AI solutions that address real operational and business needs.
• AI initiatives are implemented with appropriate attention to security, privacy, compliance, data quality, risk, and responsible AI principles.
• Strong partnerships are established across IT, Operations, Engineering, Finance, HR, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business leadership.
• Employees and leaders have the education, tools, guidance, and confidence needed to use approved AI technologies effectively and responsibly.
• AI vendors, platforms, and technology investments are evaluated based on business value, scalability, risk, and long-term supportability.
• Executive leadership has clear visibility into AI priorities, investment, progress, adoption, risks, and value realization.
• The organization develops a culture of continuous improvement and responsible innovation, with AI becoming an integrated part of how Quanex operates and solves business problems.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, information systems, engineering, business analytics, operations management, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in business administration, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, or related field preferred.
• Professional certification or training in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, project management, change management, or AI governance preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in information technology, data analytics, digital transformation, operations technology, enterprise applications, or related business technology roles.
• 5+ years of experience leading complex technology, analytics, automation, or digital transformation initiatives across multiple business functions.
• Demonstrated experience implementing AI, automation, advanced analytics, machine learning, or data-driven solutions in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with manufacturing systems and processes such as ERP, MES, quality systems, maintenance systems, supply chain systems, production planning, plant operations, and shop floor data preferred.
• Strong understanding of AI concepts, including generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, predictive analytics, computer vision, automation, data governance, and model lifecycle management.
• Experience developing business cases, roadmaps, governance models, program metrics, and executive-level reporting for technology initiatives.
• Requires at least 10 years’ total relevant work experience, with at least 3 years of experience directly supporting AI, advanced analytics, automation, or digital transformation initiatives and at least 2 years leading teams, programs, or cross-functional initiatives.

The salary range for this position is $140K-170K with the potential to earn an annual bonus.

About Quanex, A Part of Something Bigger

Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com.
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