Associate Director – Computer Vision Full-time

Overview

Company Overview:

PepsiCo is a leading retail company with a strong presence in the market. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer experiences through innovative technologies and automation. As we continue to expand and enhance our operations, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Technical Product Owner to oversee the Artificial and Machine Learning Digital Products within our Automation Team particularly in the Computer Vision space. This is a key leadership role that requires a strong technical background, product management expertise, and the ability to effectively manage a team while collaborating with various stakeholders. Additionally, this role will also include the responsibilities of driving the product vision and strategy for our AI and ML automation solutions in computer vision space.

Job Summary:

As a senior Technical Product Owner of Computer Vision apps, you will be responsible for leading and driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge digital products powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. You will oversee digital products with 10s of thousands of users, manage governance processes, ensure effective people and project management, vendor management, and also drive the product vision and strategy for our AI and ML automation solutions. Your role will be crucial in shaping the future of our computer vision product strategy, leveraging AI and ML to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and deliver high-quality products. The person leading is expected to be technical expert who is adept at Cloud technologies, application development, large scale program implementation, analytics etc.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Strategically direct AI and ML initiatives related to computer vision, shaping the vision and strategy for cutting-edge automation solutions, including the flagship digital product for our front-end associates leveraging digital products.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-calibre team of technical professionals, fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Oversee the end-to-end design, development, and deployment of large-scale automation product leveraging advanced AI and ML technologies.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, engaging with data scientists, engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders to prioritize and deliver impactful computer vision and ML solutions.
• Assume full ownership of our flagship computer vision apps, including roadmap, backlog, and feature prioritization, ensuring alignment with PepsiCo’s strategic objectives.
• Establish and enforce governance frameworks to uphold industry best practices, regulatory compliance, and internal policies.
• Expertly manage vendor relationships, conducting rigorous evaluations, negotiations, and performance assessments to secure and maintain advantageous partnerships.
• Offer deep technical expertise to navigate complex challenges, making strategic decisions on technology, architecture, and product development.
• Continuously monitor emerging trends in AI and ML, assessing their potential to drive innovation, enhance business operations, and influence the product roadmap.
• Command responsibility for budgets, resource allocation, and timelines, guaranteeing the successful execution of high-stakes automation initiatives and product launches.
• Drive product pricing strategies and offering design to maximize diverse customer satisfaction.
• Engage closely with stakeholders to meticulously gather requirements, conduct user research, and validate that the automation solutions exceed user expectations and business needs.
• Communicate compellingly with senior executives, delivering insightful reports and presentations that highlight progress, risks, financials, and strategic recommendations.
• Champion end-to-end program ownership, encompassing finance, strategy, rollout, and internal marketing, to ensure widespread adoption and success across PepsiCo’s global operations.
• Foster strong alliances with global teams, to synchronize efforts, share best practices, and drive the successful international rollout of computer vision apps.
• Demonstrate exceptional leadership in managing and scaling a globally deployed digital product, with a particular emphasis on innovative image recognition capabilities.
• Actively contribute to the strategic vision, product backlog, and implementation of computer vision apps, setting a high standard for excellence and alignment with PepsiCo’s overarching goals.
• Define agile development processes, including iterations, stories, and acceptance of increments, while setting ambitious Program Increment (PI) objectives and release content

Qualifications

Mandatory Tech Skills :

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or PhD is preferred.
• Proven experience (15+ years) in a senior leadership role overseeing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning initiatives within a large-scale organization, preferably in the retail or e-commerce sector.
• Strong program management skills, with a track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• Expertise in AI and ML technologies, including natural language processing, computer vision, recommendation systems, and predictive analytics.
• Solid understanding of governance frameworks, data privacy regulations, and compliance requirements.

Mandatory Non Tech Skills :

• Excellent people management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire technical teams.
• Strong vendor management skills, including contract negotiation and performance monitoring.
• Experience as a Product Owner or similar role, driving product vision, strategy, and roadmap for AI and ML automation solutions. Experience with start-up environment desired.
• Experience managing digital product with 10s of thousands of end-user and global stakeholders is required.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills