Artificial Intelligence Manager

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead Quanex’s AI strategy and help shape how AI is used across manufacturing operations, corporate functions, and business processes.
• Establish the company’s AI roadmap, governance framework, policies, standards, and operating model from the ground up.
• Apply AI to real-world challenges such as predictive maintenance, quality inspection, production planning, process optimization, supply chain, and plant productivity.
• Identify, prioritize, and convert high-value AI use cases into successful pilots and production implementations.
• Ensure AI solutions deliver measurable business outcomes, including productivity improvements, cost reductions, quality gains, improved forecasting, reduced downtime, and better decision-making.
• Implement AI initiatives with attention to security, privacy, compliance, data quality, risk, and responsible AI principles.
• Build strong partnerships across IT, Operations, Engineering, Finance, HR, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business leadership.
• Provide education, tools, guidance, and confidence to employees and leaders for using approved AI technologies effectively and responsibly.
• Evaluate AI vendors, platforms, and technology investments based on business value, scalability, risk, and long-term supportability.
• Ensure executive leadership has clear visibility into AI priorities, investment, progress, adoption, risks, and value realization.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and responsible innovation, integrating AI into how Quanex operates and solves business problems.

Requirements

• 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.

Pay

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

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 401K match with 2-year vesting period
• Bonus potential
• Medical, dental & vision plans
• Paid time off & holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness/fitness resources
• Training/development
• Employee stock purchase plan

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.