AI & Automation Lead

Role Summary

We are seeking a senior AI leader within the Information Technology function to define and execute Waarees enterprise AI agenda. This role will lead the strategic design, development, and deployment of AI systemsincluding machine learning models, generative AI solutions, and agentic AI toolsembedded within core IT platforms and business processes.

The position is accountable for delivering measurable top-line growth, operational efficiency, and cost optimization across Waarees business verticals. This is a hands-on, full-stack leadership role, responsible for both AI strategy and execution, and will serve as a thought partner to the CIO and senior business leaders to translate enterprise AI vision into tangible outcomes.

The role will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, supporting Waarees evolving shared-services and digital delivery model.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise AI Architecture & Agentic System Development

• Define an enterprise-wide AI technology stack integrating generative AI frameworks, databases, and agentic AI tools, aligned with IT standards
• Ensure AI architecture is scalable, secure, interoperable, and integrated with ERP, CRM, SCM, e-Commerce, and manufacturing excellence platforms
• Lead the design of LLM-based and agent-based systems to automate complex, multi-step workflows across IT and business functions

2. AI Delivery Leadership

• Oversee end-to-end development, testing, and deployment of AI models and intelligent agents
• Expand AI applications to drive revenue through improved customer acquisition, personalization, pricing strategies, and demand forecasting
• Deliver cost savings by automating processes across manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and workforce planning
• Lead automation of internal processes using AI-native tools and intelligent assistants

3. Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement

• Collaborate with application owners to embed AI capabilities into ERP, CRM, SCM, and other core systems
• Partner with cross-functional business and IT teams to identify use cases, define product roadmaps, and manage delivery
• Evaluate, select, manage, and adopt external AI/ML platforms, tools, and service providers
• Lead change management initiatives, including training, enablement, and enterprise-wide AI adoption and literacy

4. Analytics & Organizational Learning

• Design analytics layers on top of ML models, generative AI systems, and agentic tools to generate actionable business insights
• Build feedback loops that convert AI outputs into organizational learning across manufacturing, sales, supply chain, HR, and finance
• Partner with business leaders to translate AI-driven insights into decision frameworks, operational improvements, and capability upgrades

5. Responsible AI & Governance

• Implement IT-governed policies for AI lifecycle management, data lineage, model auditability, and risk mitigation
• Lead initiatives related to bias detection, explainability, ethical AI usage, and regulatory compliance

6. Value Realization & Measurement

• Partner with Finance and the CIOs office to track AI-driven efficiencies, cost savings, and productivity improvements
• Institutionalize KPIs for AI adoption, usage, performance, and ROI
• Drive a culture focused on outcome-based AI delivery rather than experimentation alone

Qualifications

Required

• 15+ years of experience in Information Technology, with at least 3 years leading enterprise AI/ML initiatives
• Proven experience building and leading technical teams delivering:
• ML models (predictive, prescriptive, regression-based)
• Generative AI systems (LLMs/SLMs)
• Agentic AI tools (chatbots, decision engines)
• Strong track record of integrating AI into enterprise IT systems with measurable ROI and P&L impact
• Advanced proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and ML frameworks/libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, LangChain, OpenAI)
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), MLOps, and DevSecOps for AI workloads
• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional AI programs in a large enterprise environment
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to senior business stakeholders
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field

Preferred

• Experience working in a global or matrixed enterprise environment
• Exposure to AI applications in manufacturing, energy, renewables, or industrial domains
• Experience scaling AI adoption across multiple business units and enterprise platforms such as SAP / S4 HANA and CRM systems