Applied AI Technology Specialist

Carbery Food Ingredients Ltd; Ballineen; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Carbery Group is seeking an Applied AI Technology Specialist to partner with the group CIO on keeping Carbery at the leading edge of AI developments. You will translate evolving AI capabilities into practical, testable pilots that address real business problems across our manufacturing and digital landscape.

The role involves building prototypes, guiding them through production transitions with the Digital team, and presenting evidence-based updates to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Meaningful experience (4+ years) in an AI, data, software or automation role with hands-on build work.
• Ability to track AI developments and articulate relevance to business needs.
• Strong knowledge of the LLM/SLM landscape and related open-source options.
• Experience building and testing prototypes and taking concepts to production.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Track emerging AI models, tools, research, and translate into actionable shortlists for Carbery.
• Build and run small prototypes addressing real internal business problems and decide keep/kill.
• Say no to hype-driven trends that don’t fit data/regulatory realities.
• Transition proven concepts from pilot to full production with Digital/ops teams.
• Present evidence-based updates to Group Leadership Team with tested results.
• Manage licences, prototyping tools, and short-term experimentation budgets.
• Build business cases for scaling pilots into production with the Group CIO.

Skills

AI/ML experience

Prototype development

LLM/SLM knowledge

Technical communication

Stakeholder reporting

Education

Computer Science/Data Science/Engineering degree

Tools

Prototyping tools

Job description

Company Overview

Carbery Group is dedicated to enriching lives. How do we do this? Owned by the farmers of West Cork, we are a global business with deep local roots. Our mission is to deliver lasting value to our farmer shareholders while making positive impact on our customers, employees, suppliers, partners, and the communities we serve. We are committed to doing this by creating healthier, tastier, and more sustainable food and ingredient solutions. With customers in over 50 countries, we pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation, our open mindset and ability to be a good partner. We prioritise our customers' needs, while also valuing our planet and fostering a thriving, people-first environment.

Your Role in Carbery's Success

As an Applied AI Technology Specialist, you will work closely with the group CIO to ensure that Carbery genuinely keeps current with how AI is evolving. You will bring deep, current knowledge of the AI landscape and test what is genuinely worth pursuing, while working alongside the senior team to help bring proven ideas into the business.

How You Will Contribute

• Continuously track emerging AI models, tools, research and practitioner practice, and translate that into a short, opinionated shortlist of what's genuinely relevant to Carbery.
• Build and run small, hands‑on prototypes against genuine internal business problems, reaching a clear keep‑or‑kill verdict on each.
• Say no, clearly and in writing, to AI trends that are hype-driven or don't fit Carbery's data and regulatory reality — as often as flagging things worth pursuing.
• Own the transition of proven concepts from pilot to full production scale, in partnership with the Digital team and whoever will operate the solution day to day.
• Present evidence‑based updates at agreed Group Leadership Team sessions, scoped to what has actually been tested and what's being scaled.
• Manage a budget for licences, prototyping tools and short‑term experimentation.
• Build the business case for scaling proven pilots into production, jointly with the Group CIO.

Essential Requirements

• Meaningful experience (4+ years) in an AI, data, software or automation role, with direct hands‑on build experience, not only strategy or advisory exposure.
• A demonstrable habit of following AI developments closely — able to speak specifically to what's changed recently.
• Strong working knowledge of the LLM/SLM landscape, plus awareness of domain‑specific and open‑source alternatives.
• Practical experience building and testing prototypes, proofs of concept or small tools in a real business setting, and taking at least one through to production or live use.
• Genuinely immersed in the evolving AI landscape; new models, tools and techniques and able to separate what's real from what's well‑marketed.
• Clear, confident communication skills, able to present tested findings to senior stakeholders and contribute to strategic direction alongside a more senior sponsor.

Desirable Requirements

• A degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering or a related field.
• Exposure to manufacturing or FMCG environments.

Our Commitment to our People

We are a diverse and growing workforce of over 1,000 people across eight countries globally. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that Carbery Group continues to be a place where people are supported to develop and feel that they can do their best work. We are committed to driving growth, developing future capability and delivering results through our dedicated teams. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive workplace where your skills, perspectives, and experience help shape the future of our industry. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration and makes a meaningful impact - from local communities to global markets. Carbery Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a supportive work environment. Across our global organisation, we employ 1000 people in 8 countries – and we are growing. From production specialists to R&D experts, finance, quality, digital, marketing, sales and so much more, see what opportunities await you with Carbery and Synergy.