AI & Automation Lead

JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

JDE Peet’s is hiring an AI & Automation Lead to steer the AI & Automation chapter within Data & AI. You will own the company-wide AI portfolio, drive generative AI and ML initiatives, and partner with business leaders to deliver measurable value.

Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, you will set governance and scale AI responsibly across the organization. We seek a candidate with a master’s in a quantitative field and proven leadership of AI teams, capable of translating business needs into

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field (CS, statistics, math or AI).
• Experience delivering AI, generative AI and ML solutions into production with leadership.
• Deep expertise in ML, modelling, data science methodologies and analytics.
• Experience with generative AI technologies, agent platforms, vector search and MLOps.
• Ability to translate business needs into AI solutions with executive engagement.
• Strong understanding of responsible AI, governance and regulatory trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the AI & Automation chapter with AI/ML engineers.
• Own the company-wide AI portfolio with stakeholders and Product Managers.
• Define standards and governance for generative AI and ML.
• Develop and deploy AI agents, generative AI solutions and ML models.
• Drive responsible AI practices including governance and security.
• Build AI capability through education and community development.

Skills

AI leadership

Generative AI

Stakeholder engagement

MLOps

Azure ecosystem

Machine learning

Data science

Education

Master’s degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Job description

We are JDE Peet’s. We craft coffee for every cup and build brands for every heart.

JDE Peet’s - now part of Keurig Dr Pepper – is the world’s leading pure‑play coffee company, with a presence in more than 100 markets. Guided by our ‘Reignite the Amazing’ strategy, we are focused on brand‑led growth across three big bets: Peet’s, L’OR, and our 10 strategically selected local icons led by Jacobs. In 2025, JDE Peet’s generated total sales of EUR 9.9 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 21,000 employees. Discover more about our journey to deliver a coffee for every cup and a brand for every heart at www.jdepeets.com .

What’s it like to work at JDE Peet’s?

We believe amazing things happen over a cup of coffee. Together, we create those moments every day, turning ideas into impact and possibilities into reality. At JDE Peet’s, we work as one team guided by our values: we Dare to Amaze, Own It, Make It Simple, and Win Together. Here, you’ll find the freedom to innovate, the courage to take bold steps, and the support to grow your career in a global environment.

Come join our team and discover what your cup of amazing can be!

The AI & Automation Lead is responsible for leading the AI & Automation chapter within the Data & AI function and owns the company-wide AI and automation portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, this role drives the delivery of AI agents, generative AI solutions and machine learning models that create measurable business value across the organization. The role sets standards for generative, agentic and predictive AI while ensuring the safe, compliant and responsible use of AI technologies. Acting as the senior AI authority, the AI & Automation Lead partners with business leaders and technology stakeholders to identify, prioritize and scale high-value AI opportunities. Success is measured through business value realization, adoption of AI solutions, operational excellence and the development of a high-performing AI and ML engineering organization.

• Lead, develop and scale the AI & Automation chapter, including AI Engineers and ML Engineers, ensuring capability growth, talent development and effective squad allocation.
• Own the company-wide AI and automation portfolio by identifying, shaping and delivering AI and machine learning use cases with business stakeholders and Product Managers.
• Define and maintain standards, governance and best practices for generative AI, agentic AI and machine learning across the Data & AI function.
• Lead the development and deployment of AI agents, generative AI solutions and machine learning models, ensuring scalability, reliability and business impact.
• Drive responsible AI practices, including governance, transparency, compliance and adherence to AI regulations and security requirements.
• Build AI capability across the organization through stakeholder engagement, education, knowledge sharing and community development.

Qualifications

Working at JDE Peet’s is hands‑on, giving you the chance to leave your mark while working together as one team. We’re a fast‑paced company on a mission, focused on what matters most. Our environment demands energy, agility, and bold thinking. If you’re ready to make an impact and grow in a global team, JDE Peet’s is the place for you.

For this role as an AI & Automation Lead, we're looking for someone who has the following skills and experience:

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience delivering AI, generative AI and machine learning solutions into production, including leadership of AI, ML or Data Science teams.
• Deep expertise in machine learning, statistical modelling, data science methodologies, AI engineering and advanced analytics.
• Strong experience with generative AI technologies, agent development platforms, vector search technologies, MLOps practices and the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into AI solutions while influencing and engaging stakeholders up to executive level.
• Strong understanding of responsible AI, AI governance, regulatory requirements and emerging AI trends and technologies.

Additional Information

Our DE&I Statement

At JDE Peet’s we aim to create a better future where we authentically serve, reflect and embrace everyone. We believe in fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation where everyone feels comfortable to truly be who they are and unleash their full potential. This means we do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of our race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, age, disability, or any other trait protected by law.

Throughout the entire employee lifecycle, we place DE&I at the core of our people processes. This enables us to drive objectivity and eliminate any potential bias, ensuring an inclusive experience in the workplace. Do not hesitate to reach out if you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Our efforts on this agenda have earned us the prestigious Catalyst Award, as well as the Fair Pay Leader Certification in 2025 thanks to an unexplained gender pay gap of 0.52%.

#unleashyourpossibility #acupofamazing

JDE Peet’s - now part of Keurig Dr Pepper – is the world’s leading pure‑play coffee company, with a presence in more than 100 markets. Guided by our ‘Reignite the Amazing’ strategy, we are focused on brand‑led growth across three big bets: Peet’s, L’OR, and our 10 strategically selected local icons led by Jacobs.

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