Head of AI, Data & Automation

Arxada is a global specialty chemicals business that’s committed to solving the world’s toughest preservation challenges through better science. With a proud history of innovation dating back more than a century, we aim to help our customers develop more sustainable solutions that protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of people and extend the life of vital infrastructure while working to reduce our and our customers’ ecological footprint.

Sustainable preservation is one of our top priorities. We are making significant strategic investments that will not only decrease our own environmental footprint, but also help customers adapt to long-term environmental and social change through the development of cleaner, greener solutions.

The Head of AI, Data, and Automation Strategy will lead the identification of focus areas and develop and implement the AI, data, and automation strategy and roadmap. This role is critical in driving digitalization efforts to create business value, encompassing growth and productivity. The position requires a strategic thinker who can merge required business capabilities with latest AI and automation technologies, with a deep understanding of data structures. The individual will act as a change agent to foster innovation and drive the adoption of new technologies in collaboration with other functions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Development

• Leads the development and implementation of the AI, data, and automation strategy
• Identifies key focus areas for AI and automation to enhance business operations and drive growth
• Collaborates with stakeholders to align the digital roadmap with the company's strategic goals

Data Strategy and Management

• Provides data strategy guidance to ensure a comprehensive end-to-end data structure, aimed at maximizing value through data utilization
• Focuses on understanding and translating business capabilities and requirements into strategic Information Technology frameworks, with a particular emphasis on Enterprise Architecture and Data Structures
• Analyzes IT trends and innovations, evaluates their future impacts, and continuously seeks opportunities to benefit Arxada in alignment with the company’s goals

Project Management and Execution

• Leads projects to drive the introduction of AI, data management and automation solutions to enhance productivity
• Acts as a change agent to drive digital culture throughout the organization
• Monitors and reports on the degree of implementation and impact of AI and data strategies
• Leads training and development initiatives to enhance AI and data capabilities within the organization
• Communicates effectively with all stakeholders
• Manages the digital budget and allocates resources

Key Requirements:

• University degree or professional qualifications in Computer science/automation/digital management
• Min. 7+ years demonstrable experience with digital transformation
• Excellent understanding of the importance of data structures (master data, but also transactional data) to achieve targets
• Min. 5+ years’ demonstrable experience with digital transformation
• Demonstrable experience of AI and Data strategy to achieve transformative targets
• Proven track record to introduce transformative information technologies
• Business fluent in English, and German (preferred)
• Communicates comprehensively to all stakeholders, is comfortable with ambiguity, and has a problem-solving aptitude who is comfortable to achieve agile Pareto level results 

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.