Senior Engineer, Smart Manufacturing & AI Innovation Lead

Quick Facts

• Role: Innovation Lead – Manufacturing

Description

Innovation Lead – Manufacturing will drive the adoption and scaling of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Manufacturing capabilities across Cardinal Health Manufacturing locations. This role identifies high-value business opportunities, translates them into practical smart solutions, and partners with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable outcomes. It also serves as a strategic bridge between manufacturing, engineering, data, and technology teams to ensure alignment with business priorities and enterprise standards, while fostering AI capability development through governance and community of practice.

Responsibilities

• Define a smart manufacturing transformation roadmap by identifying and prioritizing high-value use cases aligned to business objectives and operational priorities.

• Own and maintain a manufacturing AI initiative portfolio, overseeing the lifecycle of solutions from ideation through deployment, scaling, monitoring, and continuous optimization.

• Lead delivery of AI and automation pilot projects and proofs of concept with data scientists, engineers, digital teams, and business stakeholders to design, validate and scale solutions.

• Provide expertise in deploying AI, machine learning, generative AI, and automation solutions to deliver measurable business outcomes and operational improvements.

• Partner with data, analytics, and business teams to improve data quality, accessibility, and governance required for scalable smart manufacturing solutions.

• Embrace corporate AI governance frameworks, guardrails, and responsible AI practices to ensure compliant, secure, and scalable adoption.

• Drive stakeholder engagement, change management, and value realization, serving as a trusted advisor on smart manufacturing opportunities, risks, and emerging capabilities.

• Develop and continuously improve smart manufacturing playbooks, standards, best practices, and operating models that accelerate delivery and adoption.

• Track and communicate business value realized through smart manufacturing initiatives aligned to manufacturing priorities and executive expectations.

• Monitor emerging AI technologies, industry trends, and best practices to identify opportunities that strengthen supply chain capabilities and competitive advantage.

• Collaborate with enterprise architecture and technology teams to evaluate AI platforms, tools, and vendor capabilities supporting the supply chain AI strategy.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration by building trusted relationships, aligning stakeholders, and driving effective communication.

• Establish and embed consistent ways of working, governance, and delivery practices that promote accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience (preferred).

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent work experience) (preferred).

• 5+ years of experience leading AI, digital transformation, advanced analytics, automation, or technology-enabled business initiatives within supply chain, operations, manufacturing, or related domains (preferred).

• Strong leadership, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, including leading cross-functional teams and building communities of practice to drive adoption.

• Demonstrated experience successfully deploying AI, machine learning, generative AI, or intelligent automation solutions from concept through production implementation.

• Experience establishing governance frameworks, standards, and controls for AI solutions while balancing innovation, risk management, and business value.

• Experience building AI adoption frameworks, communities of practice, or training programs for sustainable AI capability development.

• Experience within large-scale global organizations recognized for advanced AI, digital, or supply chain capabilities.

• Experience contributing to or supporting enterprise AI centers of excellence, innovation teams, or digital transformation programs.

• Experience leading AI or Data Science teams.

What is expected of you and others at this level

• Applies advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, and technical capabilities to manage a wide variety of projects.

• Participates in the development of policies and procedures to achieve specific goals.

• Recommends new practices, processes, metrics, or models.

• Works on or may lead complex projects of large scope with significant and long-term impact.

• Provides solutions that may set precedent and independently determines the method for completion of new projects.

• Receives guidance on overall project objectives and may mentor less experienced colleagues.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage.

• Paid time off plan.

• Health savings account (HSA).

• 401k savings plan.

• Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay.

• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Work-Life resources.

• Paid parental leave.

• Healthy lifestyle programs.