AI Automation Analyst

SouthernCarlson, Inc.•Omaha, NE

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The AI Automation Analyst identifies opportunities to improve business operations through AI, automation, and data-driven solutions. The role works with teams across the organization to analyze workflows, identify inefficiencies, and design, build, test, and implement solutions using Python, LLM technologies, databases, and system integrations. The analyst owns the full automation lifecycle, from requirements gathering and solution development through user training, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement. The role also measures business impact and prioritizes initiatives based on their operational value. SouthernCarlson is a distributor of construction and packaging tools, fasteners, jobsite supplies, and related services across North America. The position is based at the company’s Omaha, Nebraska location and is hybrid, with a Monday–Friday schedule and travel of up to 25% to branch and regional locations.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in business process analysis, business systems, or operations in a role involving building solutions, not only making recommendations.
Hands-on database experience, ideally with PostgreSQL or SQL Server; exposure to NoSQL or document stores is useful.
Working Python skills, including the ability to write and modify scripts that move, transform, and validate data.
Hands-on experience with LLM APIs, including prompt design and structured outputs.
Daily use of AI coding assistants such as Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, or Claude to build working output.
Experience integrating systems through APIs, files, or platforms such as Workato, Power Automate, or Zapier.
Experience with ERP or other business systems and the judgment to identify bad data before it leads to faulty automation.
Ability to recommend process changes to business owners and gain their support.
Ability to train non-technical users and encourage adoption of solutions.
Willingness to travel up to 25% to branch and regional locations.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
Experience in distribution, industrial, construction supply, or building materials.
Experience with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or document processing such as PDF extraction and OCR.
A demonstrable and quantifiable track record of automation work.

Responsibilities

Work with teams across the business to map actual workflows, including routine, repetitive, and undocumented work.
Analyze workflows, define problems, trace issues to underlying data, and prioritize use cases by value, impact, feasibility, and risk.
Build Python scripts and LLM pipelines to classify, extract, match, and validate data, as well as associated automations and review screens.
Document requirements and own solution design, configuration, and rollout in partnership with the teams using the solution.
Develop business cases, including cost-benefit analyses, implementation plans, and success measures.
Test AI output against known-good results before launch, conduct user acceptance testing with business users, and establish thresholds for automatic approval versus human review.
Train users through hands-on sessions, documentation, and ongoing support to build confidence and adoption of AI-enabled tools.
Monitor usage and performance after launch, identify failures and drift, and pursue improvements.
Measure and report impact, including time saved, errors avoided, and newly enabled work.
Stay current on AI tools and platforms and recommend solutions for adoption.
Own the automation backlog and prioritize what gets built next.