Manager, AI Programs

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a Positive Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world.  We are looking to hire a key member of our IT team at our Jacksonville, Florida or our Headquarters located in The Woodlands, Texas.

The AI Program Manager will play a key role in overseeing and managing the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects within the organization. The responsibilities will span from project conception to completion, ensuring that all aspects are completed on time and within budget. This role will leverage expertise in AI to guide cross-functional teams, drive successful project outcomes, align with business objectives and help shape Kraton’s AI strategy. The AI Program Manager is expected to blend strategic and tactical planning to mature the artificial intelligence capabilities of the organization across multiple functional areas.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following:

• Project Oversight: Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of AI projects, from ideation to deployment. Collaborate with stakeholders, technical teams, and business units to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables. Manage budget, scheduling and resources, including external vendors.
• Strategy/Roadmap Development: Facilitate technical solution strategies and AI strategic roadmaps that support Kraton’s business organizations.
• Team Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams, including data scientists, engineers, and business analysts. Foster collaboration, set clear expectations, and motivate team members to achieve project goals. This includes external resources when required.
• AI Expertise: Leverage understanding of AI technologies, machine learning, and data science to guide project decisions. Actively participate in the external AI community to stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies. Investigate and prototype new technology and business solutions to support anticipated business needs.
• Stakeholder Communication: Regularly communicate project progress, challenges, and successes to senior management, business units, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Training: Oversee the development of comprehensive end user training programs to encourage use and engagement of AI tools within the company, at all levels of the organization. 
• Work in partnership with functional subject matter experts to investigate and prototype new technology and business solutions to support anticipated business needs.
• Ensure consistent alignment, leveraging Kraton IT processes, methodologies and general controls for governance of the IT environment.

Required Skills

• Typically, 10 or more years of relevant work experience in information technology with 5 or more years of experience with program management in one or more areas such as:
  • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
  • Digital Transformation
  • Data & Analytics
  • Information Management
• Must possess excellent organization, prioritization and communication skills 
• Strong problem resolution skills with drive and focus on accuracy and completion 
• Strong business and product portfolio understanding and how technology can be leveraged to support and improve operations
• Demonstrated understanding of various IT systems, integrations, and how they can impact one another

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field of study from an accredited college/university.  
• Advanced degrees in Business Administration, AI, Data Science, or a related field are preferred.

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The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton’s internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.