Solutions Architect, AI & Automation

Gexpro Services • Irving, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Solutions Architect, AI & Automation serves as a strategic and execution-focused partner to business leaders, designing and delivering applied AI and automation solutions that improve operational performance, decision-making, and productivity. The role combines hands-on technical execution with business partnership, identifying high-value opportunities with site and vertical leadership, architecting and building solutions, and driving adoption. It operates with substantial autonomy and is accountable for measurable EBITDA and working capital outcomes, while serving as the company's internal technical authority on automation, cloud architecture, and applied AI.

The role owns end-to-end technical design and delivery across data, integrations, backend services, applications, and cloud infrastructure. It develops cloud-based solutions and integrations connecting ERP (QAD), Microsoft 365, reporting, and operational platforms; builds applications and automations using Python, SQL, and cloud services; and leads initiatives from concept through pilot, scaled deployment, change management, and user adoption. It also identifies and prioritizes AI and automation opportunities, establishes development standards and governance, evaluates vendors and technologies, and advises leaders on investment decisions.

The position works directly with branch teams, functional support, vertical and site leaders, customers, and suppliers to identify process improvements, gather requirements, and translate business problems into technical designs. It builds business cases and presents recommendations to executive leadership, including the CEO. The role also leads vendor and program activities, partners with IT and business stakeholders on integration, and manages and develops direct reports through work assignment, feedback, mentorship, and career development.

Requirements

• At least four years of professional experience spanning technology delivery and business process improvement.
• Experience leading multiple AI, automation, or data-driven solutions from concept through deployment with measurable business outcomes.
• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end solutions, including business requirements, architecture, development, integration, deployment, adoption, and ongoing improvement.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Working knowledge of cloud architecture, security, identity, and cloud-native solution design.
• Experience designing system integrations and APIs across enterprise platforms.
• Working knowledge of enterprise systems such as Microsoft 365 and ERPs.
• Understanding of robotic process automation and enterprise automation platforms.
• Experience leading vendor selection and managing third-party delivery partners.
• Strong project and program management capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of process improvement.
• Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into actionable technical solutions.
• Experience driving change management and user adoption.
• Experience working cross-functionally within a business and with external partners.
• Strong presentation skills, including executive-ready communication and experience presenting to executive audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and work across organizational levels.
• Commitment to continuous learning and ability to rapidly acquire and apply technical skills as the technology landscape changes.
• Team-oriented, hands-on leadership style.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI Services, and the broader Microsoft AI ecosystem.
• Experience designing and building applications using generative AI services, models, APIs, and SDKs.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric, including data engineering, analytics, semantic models, and integrating enterprise data into AI solutions.
• Experience with AI agents and agentic workflows, including tool or function calling, orchestration, and integration with enterprise systems.
• Experience with CI/CD, infrastructure as code, containerization, and cloud deployment practices.
• Relevant Microsoft Azure, AI, Data, or Fabric certifications, including current Microsoft Applied Skills credentials.
• Experience mentoring technical staff or providing technical leadership across cross-functional teams.
• Experience in distribution, supply chain, manufacturing, or other operationally complex environments.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification, or equivalent process-improvement experience.
• Bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end technical design across data, integrations, backend services, applications, and cloud infrastructure for enterprise initiatives prioritized by EBITDA and total working capital impact.
• Serve as technical architect on multiple concurrent projects, establishing direction through working code, reference architectures, and reusable design patterns.
• Design and build cloud-based solutions and system integrations connecting ERP (QAD), Microsoft 365, reporting, and operational platforms.
• Develop applications and automations using Python, SQL, and cloud services from prototype through production deployment.
• Lead initiatives from concept through pilot and scaled deployment, including change management and user adoption.
• Define plans for delivering change in 1–3 month increments using agile methodologies.
• Travel to sites as needed to deploy solutions, train end users, and drive adoption.
• Identify, scope, and prioritize AI and automation use cases aligned with business value and strategic objectives.
• Translate operational pain points into AI-enabled workflows, copilots, automations, and decision-support tools.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement technologies such as generative AI, RAG, agentic solutions, robotic process automation, and machine learning applications.
• Support and lead development of AI use cases, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, internal agents, and ERP-adjacent solutions.
• Establish standards, governance, and reusable patterns for automation and AI development.
• Rapidly prototype solutions to demonstrate possibilities and support investment cases.
• Conduct build-versus-buy analysis and advise leadership on internal development versus third-party engagement.
• Identify technical, delivery, and adoption risks early and develop cost- and risk-optimizing mitigation strategies.
• Maintain current technical expertise through conferences, vendor briefings, certification programs, and hands-on evaluation of platforms and tools; assess external capabilities against Gexpro's needs and recommend investment or pilots.
• Engage branch teams, functional support, vertical and site leadership, customers, and suppliers to identify process gaps and simplification opportunities.
• Independently gather business requirements and translate them into technical requirements and solution designs.
• Lead strategic KPI improvement initiatives by defining issues, analyzing and prioritizing root causes, implementing improvements, and verifying results.
• Gather data on existing processes, identify key problems, and demonstrate results after improvements.
• Build and present business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and solution recommendations to executive leadership, including the CEO.
• Build employee support for changes to working practices that improve financial performance and customer service.
• Lead technology vendor evaluations and selections, including requirements definition, demonstrations, scoring, and commercial recommendations.
• Own business cases and secure funding approval for technology investments.
• Partner with IT, vendors, and business stakeholders to integrate solutions into enterprise systems.
• Govern third-party delivery partners through implementation, including working sessions, scope management, and acceptance of delivered work against requirements.
• Configure and lead setup of supporting IT infrastructure for third-party and internal solutions.
• Manage and develop direct reports through goal setting, work assignment, performance feedback, and career development planning.
• Mentor technically through code reviews, design reviews, and pairing; establish engineering standards and practices.
• Onboard and develop early-career technical hires in cloud, automation, and AI development.
• Scope and delegate work while balancing individual delivery, team throughput, and development goals.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation plus annual bonus.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee assistance program and health wellness programs.
• 401(k) with a competitive match, available immediately.
• Several paid holidays and paid time off, including personal, sick, and vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed