Director - Innovation

Seaboard Energy•Merriam, KS

2h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Innovation will lead the implementation of AI-powered solutions, including large language models, agentic workflows, and multi-agent systems, while modernizing the division’s approach to software development, data analytics, and process automation. This role will also be responsible for standing up an enterprise-wide data and analytics capability, including the design and construction of unified data models and operational ontologies that connect core business domains, and training internal teams to build upon and extend these capabilities independently.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.
Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in technology innovation, digital transformation, software engineering, or a related discipline, with at least three (3) years in a leadership or management capacity.
Demonstrated experience deploying AI/ML solutions in an enterprise environment, including large language models (LLMs), generative AI, or agentic AI systems.
Hands-on experience with modern automation platforms (e.g., UiPath, Power Automate, or equivalent) and managing robotic process automation (RPA) programs.
Proven ability to design and implement enterprise data architectures, including building unified data models and operational ontologies that integrate disparate data sources and enable self-service analytics.
Track record of re-engineering or modernizing software development processes using AI-augmented or agentic delivery methodologies.
Experience evaluating enterprise software portfolios and making build-vs-buy recommendations that deliver measurable cost savings.
Strong executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value for C-suite audiences.
Experience establishing technology governance, security controls, and oversight frameworks within a large or publicly traded organization.
Self-directed leader comfortable operating with high autonomy in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field (MBA, MS in Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering).
Experience in renewable energy, biofuels, refining, petrochemicals, or a related process-manufacturing industry.
Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and modern DevOps/CI-CD practices.
Experience building and managing citizen developer programs, including training non-technical staff to create their own automations.
Background in multi-agent AI orchestration, prompt engineering, or AI-first product development.
Experience generating and reporting quantifiable savings estimates and ROI metrics for innovation initiatives to senior leadership.
Knowledge of renewable fuel regulatory frameworks including the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and clean fuel production tax credits.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary innovation leader for Seaboard Energy, identifying and deploying AI, automation, and emerging technology solutions that address critical business challenges across renewable fuels production, distribution, and environmental credit operations.
Lead the design and buildout of an enterprise data and analytics capability, including the construction of unified data models and operational ontologies that connect core business domains — feedstock procurement, refinery operations, fuel production, quality control, environmental credits (RINs, LCFS), distribution logistics, and solar generation — enabling advanced analytics and AI-driven decision-making.
Train and upskill internal teams to independently build, maintain, and extend data and analytics capabilities across the organization.
Deploy and operationalize advanced AI solutions, including large language models, agentic workflows, and multi-agent systems, to automate knowledge work, document processing, decision support, and operational planning.
Re-engineer the division’s internal software development processes by establishing AI-augmented delivery pipelines — from work intake and requirements generation through architecture review, security review, and rapid prototyping — targeting significant reductions in manual development effort.
Design, deploy, and manage robotic process automation (RPA) programs using modern platforms, and oversee a citizen developer program that enables business users to build and deploy their own automations with appropriate governance.
Evaluate the division’s existing software stack to identify opportunities to rationalize SaaS solutions in favor of internally built applications that are more cost-effective and customizable.
Develop and maintain innovation governance frameworks, controls, and oversight processes that enable rapid iteration and prototyping while meeting the compliance and risk management standards expected of a publicly traded, Fortune 500 enterprise.
Present innovation strategy, progress, and results to divisional executive leadership on a regular cadence, including quantified savings estimates, adoption metrics, and forward-looking roadmaps.
Collaborate cross-functionally with plant operations, maintenance, supply chain, environmental compliance, and commercial teams to identify high-value automation and AI use cases specific to Seaboard Energy’s business.
Coordinate with innovation leadership across Seaboard Corporation’s other divisions to share best practices, align on enterprise-wide technology strategy, and ensure interoperability of platforms and approaches.
Stay current with emerging technology trends in AI, automation, data engineering, and renewable energy technology, and assess their applicability to Seaboard Energy.
Build relationships with technology vendors, partners, and research communities to maintain a pipeline of innovative solutions.
Perform additional duties as assigned.