Director, Smart Ops & Digital Enablement

Job ID: 16066 

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Yankee Candle® - and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact—supported by a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day. 

Location: Remote U.S. with travel

Reports to: Sr. Director, Automation Operations

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Smart Ops & Digital Enablement is Newell Brands' operational AI leader, responsible for running the enterprise AI program across the global operations network — spanning more than 40 manufacturing sites, 60 distribution centers, and markets in 140 countries. This role owns the full arc of AI deployment for operations: from program governance and Navigator-to-Voyager execution within the Quantum Leap (QL) corporate transformation program, through hands-on deployment of AI tools across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, reliability, and automation. The Director is the connective tissue between QL strategy and operational execution, partnering directly with Operations, ERA, Quality, PEAK, SEAL, and productivity teams to ensure AI use cases are prioritized, deployed, and generating measurable value across the network. In addition to serving as the functional Navigator for the operations network within QL, the Director also serves as the Voyager for ERA — personally driving and executing AI use cases within the ERA function as a hands-on practitioner and program champion. This role is organizationally seated within Engineering, Reliability & Automation (ERA) and also carries stewardship of ERA's engineering and technology innovation portfolio, but the scope of accountability is operations-wide.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

AI Enablement Leadership

• Lead the ERA AI Enablement function as the primary technical director for AI deployment across all of Newell Brands' operations — including manufacturing, distribution, logistics, reliability, and automation. Serve as the operational AI authority across the full network of 40+ manufacturing sites and 60 DCs. AI for quality systems and procurement is governed separately by those functional organizations.
• Define and execute the ERA AI Enablement technical roadmap, with a focus on technically grounded deployment and engineering execution rather than process-only program management.
• Serve as the primary AI technical liaison for all operational functions — manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and supply chain execution — coordinating AI initiative scoping, prioritization, and delivery across Operations leadership. Coordinate at the boundary with Quality and Procurement AI owners but do not own those roadmaps.
• Partner with the Automation Operations team to integrate AI capabilities into automation and robotics deployments across the manufacturing network.
• Serve as ERA's designated Navigator within Quantum Leap (QL), Newell Brands' corporate AI transformation program. As Navigator, own ERA's AI Journey, represent ERA in all QL governance forums — including Navigator meetings, EC Review sessions, and SteerCo — and ensure ERA workstreams are executed and reported in alignment with the enterprise QL program structure.
• Own ERA's QL value tracking obligations: capture leading indicators monthly, report lagging KPIs quarterly, and maintain ERA's use case portfolio and AI Journey documentation within the QL program framework. Leverage the QL Value Templates and Resources library and Leading Indicator and Lagging KPI Library to ensure consistent measurement standards.
• Oversee and coordinate the Navigators and Voyagers program within ERA, ensuring participants are actively contributing to AI deployment workstreams, building internal AI capability, and advancing adoption across the GPSN network.
• Facilitate the AI Steering Committee, including agenda development, workstream status reporting, decision preparation, and follow-through on action items; serve as the primary operational lead ensuring the Steering Committee drives execution rather than oversight alone.
• Oversee deployment of OTTO/ODIN platforms, Wrenchie, Ask-an-Engineer AI, OEE Power BI, MDE rollout, AI vision applications, and Project LIFT across target sites.
• Maintain vendor and partner relationships with AI platform providers; lead technical evaluations, proof-of-concept design, and RFP processes for AI tooling.

Digital Enablement & Platform Delivery

• Drive delivery of the Newell-IQ MES program across manufacturing sites in coordination with the ERA Manufacturing Digitization pillar.
• Oversee CMMS and OT connectivity platforms as they interface with digital analytics and AI layers in the ERA technology stack.
• Lead manufacturing data strategy for AI model training pipelines, ensuring data quality, accessibility, and governance across GPSN operational datasets.
• Collaborate with IT, OT, and business intelligence teams to ensure AI tools are deployed on secure, scalable infrastructure consistent with Newell OT standards.

Engineering & Technology Innovation

• Lead cross-functional engineering technology projects from concept through implementation, including automation platforms, digital twins, and connected factory initiatives.
• Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies relevant to manufacturing operations; maintain Newell Brands' ERA technology radar and innovation pipeline.
• Represent ERA in Quantum Leap (QL) and AI Enablement governance forums; ensure ERA workstreams are delivered on schedule and integrated with GPSN transformation milestones.
• Manage portfolio of technology initiatives with full P&L accountability; track ROI, adoption rates, and operational impact metrics for all deployed solutions.

Team & Stakeholder Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing team of AI engineers, digital program managers, and training specialists within the AI Enablement.
• Develop direct reports through coaching, career pathing, and performance management aligned to ERA talent strategy.
• Present program status, strategic initiatives, and investment proposals to GPSN leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Operate across global time zones with manufacturing sites in NAM, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in engineering, technology program management, or AI/digital transformation roles within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience deploying AI, ML, or industrial analytics platforms at scale in an operational environment.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional programs in a global, matrixed organization.
• Strong financial acumen; experience managing program budgets and building business cases for technology investment.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills; ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical business audiences.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational technology, automation, manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or supply chain transformation initiatives across multiple sites.
• Experience leveraging operational KPIs such as OEE, throughput, labor productivity, service level, inventory performance, cost per unit, and asset reliability to drive business results.
• Proven ability to translate operational challenges into scalable digital, automation, analytics, or AI solutions that generate measurable business value.
• Experience working within complex manufacturing and distribution environments utilizing WMS, MES, WES, robotics, controls, material handling systems, or warehouse automation platforms.
• Track record of delivering productivity, cost reduction, quality, service, capacity, or reliability improvements through technology-enabled initiatives.
• Experience leading initiatives involving Operations, Engineering, Reliability, Continuous Improvement, Quality, Supply Chain, and IT stakeholders.
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Preferred

• Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES), CMMS platforms, OT/ICS architecture, or SCADA/PLC environments.
• Familiarity with PEAK, Lean, or Six Sigma continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience operating within a large CPG or industrial goods supply chain organization.
• Prior ownership of an AI center of excellence, innovation lab, or digital transformation program office.
• Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing facilities or distribution centers utilizing ASRS, AGVs/AMRs, robotics, sortation systems, conveyors, vision systems, or advanced material handling automation.
• Working knowledge of Power BI, manufacturing analytics platforms, digital twins, predictive maintenance, OEE reporting, or operational performance management systems.
• Experience deploying AI-powered solutions within frontline operational environments and driving adoption across multiple sites.

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinking with a bias for technical execution
• Data-driven decision-making and structured problem solving
• Ability to build credibility with engineering teams and executive leadership simultaneously
• Comfort with ambiguity in a high-change environment
• Collaboration across organizational boundaries and geographies
• Operationally grounded technology leadership—the ability to bridge frontline operations, engineering, automation, analytics, and AI to deliver sustainable business results.
• Operational Excellence mindset focused on improving safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing and distribution operations and the ability to align technology investments with operational priorities.
• Relentless focus on value realization, KPI improvement, and measurable business outcomes.
• Systems thinking with the ability to understand end-to-end impacts across complex supply chain networks.
• Change leadership and workforce adoption expertise in operational environments.
• Ownership mentality with a bias for action, accountability, and execution.

The Remote base pay range for this position is from $165,200- $227,250. Salary will be based on prior experience related to the skills required for this position

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Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.