AI & Automation Lead

Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

JDE Peet’s is seeking an AI & Automation Lead to drive the AI & Automation chapter across the Data & AI function in Utrecht. You will lead AI engineers, shape the company-wide AI portfolio and set governance standards for generative, agentic and ML solutions.

You will partner with business leaders and Product Managers to deliver measurable value, scale deployment, and ensure responsible AI practices while building a high-performing AI/ML engineering organization.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field (CS, statistics, mathematics, AI) or equivalent.
• Extensive experience delivering AI/ML solutions into production and leading AI/ML/Data Science teams.
• Deep expertise in ML, statistics, data science methodologies, AI engineering and analytics.
• Strong experience with generative AI tech, agent platforms, vector search, MLOps and Azure.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into AI solutions and engage executives.
• Strong understanding of responsible AI, governance, regulatory requirements and emerging AI trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and scale the AI & Automation chapter, ensuring capability growth and squad allocation.
• Own the company-wide AI and automation portfolio by identifying, shaping and delivering AI use cases with stakeholders and Product Managers.
• Define and maintain standards, governance and best practices for generative AI, agentic AI and ML across the Data & AI function.
• Lead the development and deployment of AI agents, generative AI solutions and ML 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.

Skills

Leadership & AI teams

AI engineering

Advanced analytics

Gen AI platforms

Vector search

MLOps

Azure ecosystem

Stakeholder engagement

Responsible AI

Education

Master’s degree in a quantitative field

Job description

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.

• Information Technology
• Utrecht
• Full-time
• Netherlands

• 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

A pre-employment check can be part of the recruitment process.

Company Description

Who we are?

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

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.