AI Manager

Position Overview

Company Overview

At Kovalus Separation Solutions (KSS), we are dedicated to transforming the landscape of separation technologies by leveraging synergies across membrane filtration, ion exchange, evaporation, drying, and other advanced process technologies. Our solutions support customers in the food and beverage, dairy, life science, and industrial markets by enabling product concentration and purification, removal of contaminants, recycling of valuable process chemicals, production of high-purity water, and treatment of wastewater for safe discharge or reuse.

Position Summary:

Kovalus is seeking a results-driven AI Manager to support the development and execution of practical AI initiatives across the business. This hands-on role helps identify, design, and implement AI/ML solutions that streamline operations, and drive measurable business value across our portfolio.

This is not a pure research role. The ideal candidate is a business-minded AI practitioner who can translate technical capabilities into practical applications that support teams across finance, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial functions.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Leadership

• Support the execution of AI initiatives aligned to business priorities
• Identify and prioritize high-impact AI use cases across finance, commercial, engineering design, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customer solutions
• Provide recommendations on AI trends, risks, tools, and opportunities to business and functional leaders

Data Strategy & Governance

• Help shape data and AI practices that support operational goals and business priorities
• Support data governance efforts, including clean data foundations, master data management, and data quality monitoring
• Assist with evaluating AI/data vendors and contribute to build-vs-buy recommendations for analytics tools and platforms
• Ensure cybersecurity, compliance, and ethical AI practices across all initiatives

Operational Excellence

• Implement AI to optimize manufacturing processes, forecasting, scheduling, and quality control
• Use predictive analytics to improve supply chain performance and reduce downtime
• Establish scalable data pipelines and infrastructure to enable AI deployment
• Develop predictive models for dispatch optimization, demand forecasting, and preventive maintenance scheduling

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to develop AI-enabled offerings and value propositions
• Collaborate with IT and Digital teams to align AI initiatives with enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, etc.)
• Translate complex AI concepts into actionable strategies for non-technical stakeholders

Change Management & Adoption

• Champion AI adoption across operations; train branch managers and field supervisors to trust and use data-driven tools

Qualifications:

• Required
• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Business Analytics, Engineering, or related field
• 4–7 years of experience in AI, machine learning, data science, analytics, or a related field
• Proven record translating data/AI into measurable operational and financial outcomes (margin improvement, cost reduction, revenue growth)
• Change management experience driving adoption of data-driven tools with non-technical users (branch managers, dispatchers, field supervisors)
• Industrial, manufacturing, energy, or engineering-driven environment experience strongly preferred

Preferred

• Technical Expertise
• Strong knowledge of machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling
• Familiarity with AI for scheduling, routing, estimating, or predictive maintenance
• Understanding of ERP systems, data integration, and enterprise architecture
• Change management experience driving adoption of data-driven tools with non-technical users (branch managers, dispatchers, field supervisors)
• Industrial, manufacturing, energy, or engineering-driven environment experience strongly preferred

• 
  Leadership & Business Acumen
• Ability to translate AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience managing project plans, priorities, and implementation roadmaps
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical audiences

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Kovalus Separation Solutions is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected. We welcome applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our organization and contribute to better solutions for our customers and communities.

Kovalus offers a comprehensive package that includes: Medical (3 plan options), Dental (2 plan options) and Vision plan insurances; 401K (6% company match & fixed company contribution based on seniority); health savings and flexible spending accounts; company provided basic life insurance policy with the option of selecting additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse or dependents; disability insurances (short-term policy is company paid & long-term is split between company and employee); voluntary insurance plans for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity; business and personal travel insurance; 10 paid holidays; vacation time starting at 3 weeks; 48 hours sick time; employee assistance program; educational assistance program; referral bonus; bereavement leave.

All benefits are subject to applicable plan and program terms (including eligibility terms) and may be subject to change.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to see and respond to at-risk situations.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear when in industrial locations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.