Director, Operational & AI Efficiency

Description ABOUT UA/UNIFORM ADVANTAGE BRANDS For over 40 years, UA Brands has designed fashion-forward apparel for the medical and culinary professionals who make a difference every day. We’re proud to support the people behind the work, those showing up and making an impact every shift. We’re a purpose-driven team with a strong commitment to community, collaboration, and service. Here, you’ll find a culture that values connection, fresh perspectives, and real impact. From the start, we’re committed to giving you an authentic look at life at UA Brands and how you can grow, contribute, and make your mark. ABOUT THE ROLE Uniform Advantage is transforming how work gets done across retail, e-commerce, supply chain, distribution, manufacturing, and corporate functions using AI, automation, and data. We’re hiring a Director of Operational & AI Efficiency to lead this effort end-to-end. This role is ideal for someone who has led digital transformation, AI adoption, or enterprise automation programs and wants to own both strategy and execution. You will define how AI and data improve business performance from demand planning and inventory optimization to customer experience, finance automation, and operational efficiency, and then deliver those outcomes across the organization. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will participate in building the roadmap, lead cross-functional teams, implement solutions, and be accountable for measurable results. WHAT YOU’LL DO AI Strategy, Digital Transformation & Program Leadership Define and lead the enterprise AI, automation, and operational excellence roadmap Translate business strategy into executable programs across retail, supply chain, finance, and e-commerce Establish KPIs, OKRs, dashboards, and success metrics tied to cost savings, productivity, and revenue growth Identify risks, dependencies, and sequencing across multiple transformation initiatives AI, Data & Automation Delivery Lead the full lifecycle of AI and data initiatives: problem definition → data → modeling → deployment → adoption → ROI Build and scale AI solutions such as: Demand forecasting & inventory planning Supply chain and procurement automation Customer analytics & personalization Financial process automation (e.g., close, reporting) Ensure solutions are production-ready, secure, scalable, and aligned with data governance standards Manage an internal AI product portfolio, including roadmaps, releases, and adoption tracking Cross-Functional Leadership (Retail, Corporate, Supply Chain) Lead cross-functional initiatives across all corporate teams Translate between business leaders and technical teams (data, engineering, IT) Drive alignment across stakeholders without direct authority Technology, Systems & Vendor Management Partner with IT to define data architecture, governance, and integration standards Work with enterprise systems such as: ERP (Microsoft Dynamics AX or similar) E-commerce platforms (Salesforce Commerce Cloud / SFCC) Warehouse Management Systems (WMS, e.g., Manhattan Scale) POS systems (Retail Pro / PRISM) Manage vendors and platforms, including AI tools (LLMs), automation tools, and data platforms Participate in vendor selection, contracts (SOWs), and performance management Change Management, Training & AI Adoption Build and lead enterprise-wide AI training and enablement programs Increase adoption of AI tools across business teams (operations, merchandising, marketing, finance) Develop internal champions and “AI change agents” across departments Design human + AI workflows that improve productivity and employee experience Executive Communication & Business Impact Present program updates, risks, and ROI to executive leadership Translate technical concepts into clear business outcomes Build and maintain business cases tied to cost reduction, efficiency gains, and revenue growth Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field 8+ years leading digital transformation, AI/ML, data, or enterprise technology programs Experience in retail, e-commerce, supply chain, distribution, or manufacturing environments Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs without direct authority Hands-on experience with: AI tools (LLMs, automation platforms) Data platforms/cloud data warehouses Business process automation Track record delivering measurable outcomes: Cost savings Operational efficiency Revenue growth Strong program management skills (risk management, resource planning, dependencies) Excellent communication and executive presentation skills PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree (MBA, Data Science, Engineering, or similar) Experience with: Demand planning, inventory optimization, or supply chain analytics Retail operations, merchandising, or omnichannel commerce Familiarity with: Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) Microsoft Dynamics AX (or similar ERP) Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Background in Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid delivery models Experience leading AI adoption, training, or change management programs Consulting or advisory experience in enterprise transformation WHERE YOU’LL WORK HYBRID – The Best of Both Worlds Have the flexibility to work on-site/in the business and remotely during the week. You’ll spend a few days a week in our office for collaboration/in-person engagement and have the flexibility to work from home on other days. While on-site, join other team members in the spacious Quad for lunch or enjoy our ongoing wellness activities. Employees are expected to be online and available during their team's core business hours. The company computer is provided for business use. WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, finances, and work-life balance: Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage 401(k) with Company Match Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay Company-Paid Short & Long-Term Disability + Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Discounts & Referral Bonuses Volunteer Time Off Plus, additional perks like pet insurance, legal coverage, wellness benefits, and more. UA IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER As an employee of any UA Brands division, you will be part of an established and dynamic organization. We believe that success starts from within, and we are seeking individuals who thrive in an environment that encourages and supports self-management. To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at UA Brands will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. UA Brands does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. UA Brands will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so will result in undue hardship. We are a Drug-Free Workplace.