AI Automation Operations Lead - Remote

Compensation Range- $150,000-$160,000 Bonus

Job Overview:

This role is responsible for establishing, operating, and governing enterprise generative AI agent capabilities while ensuring production stability and operational effectiveness of the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) portfolio. The position requires hands-on technical leadership across generative AI implementation and automation production support. The role serves as the technical authority for vendor solution evaluation, implementation governance, and production support standards. Immediate responsibilities include ownership of the Microsoft Copilot Studio SKU inventory assessment and related licensing and deployment planning.

Job Responsibilities:

• Design, architect, and deploy multi-agent workflows across platforms including AWS Bedrock, Microsoft Copilot Studio, and related technologies.
• Own execution and completion of the Microsoft Copilot Studio SKU inventory assessment, including analysis of licensing and deployment impacts.
• Evaluate third-party AI agent development partners and review technical implementations prior to production release.
• Validate AI agent workflows for reliability, cost efficiency, and alignment with defined business requirements.
• Define and maintain standards for agent development, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), function calling, agent loops, and workflow orchestration.
• Develop team capabilities for deploying and maintaining AI agents across multiple platforms, ensuring consistency with established standards.
• Maintain the technical roadmap for generative AI capabilities, including identification, prioritization, and sequencing of use cases within distribution and warehouse operations.
• Define and govern production support models for RPA solutions, with emphasis on operational resilience and stability.
• Develop and maintain runbooks documenting known failure modes, recovery procedures, and recurring system issues.
• Design and implement monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions for automation systems.
• Establish change management and release controls balancing deployment speed with production reliability.
• Lead incident response activities, root cause analysis, and post-incident reviews to improve system robustness.
• Oversee RPA delivery processes, including quality controls and transition to production support.
• Provide direct technical support during critical incidents and guide teams in troubleshooting and preventative remediation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field

Experience:

• 8 years of experience in technology with hands-on technical responsibilities
• 2 years of experience in a supervisor or leadership role (on premise and/or offshore)
• 4 years of experience in generative AI, agent development, LLM-based solutions and RPA development, deployment, or production support
• Experience deploying AI agents across multiple platforms; AWS experience, including Bedrock
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio, including SKU and licensing knowledge
• Experience supporting distribution, logistics, or warehouse operations

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Knowledge of common RPA failure patterns and stabilization techniques.
• Understanding of large language model behavior, limitations, and cost management considerations.
• Practical knowledge of generative AI concepts, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, agent orchestration, and function calling.
• Demonstrated accountability for the performance, stability, and continuous improvement of mission-critical systems.
• Ability to provide hands-on technical leadership, including vendor oversight, solution review, and direct involvement during production incidents.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

Benefits:

• Competitive 401k
• Flexible PTO Plan
• Health benefits - first of the month following 30 days of employment
• Mentorship program/developmental opportunities

About UNFI: We are North America's premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000 employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI's compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company's sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act .

Salary : $150,000