# First Quality — Director of Artificial Intelligence

- Generated: 2026-09-16 10:16:42 PM EDT
- Original/canonical posting: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4468341044/
- Provider: LinkedIn
- Posted: approximately 2026-09-16 09:16 PM EDT (from '1 hour ago')
- Elapsed since posting: represented by the provider's relative posting label and approximate Eastern timestamp when available
- Applicants: Be among the first 25 applicants
- Work model/location: North Carolina listing; remote eligibility is unverified
- Compensation: Not disclosed; Director title qualifies
- Travel: Manufacturing-facility travel as needed; percentage should be confirmed at 8% or less
- Positioning track: Technical IC
- Fit outcome: PASS — 90%

## Direct-match strengths

Enterprise AI strategy, operating models, governance, privacy, Responsible AI, adoption, change management, business cases, vendors, platforms, and cross-functional influence.

## Hard or material gaps

PASS uses the 80%+ verification exception because remote eligibility is not stated. Manufacturing/CPG depth is preferred and transferable rather than direct, and unquantified facility travel should be confirmed at 8% or less.

## Evidence map

1. Enterprise AI strategy and phased roadmap (weight 3, evidence 3/3) — Direct strategy, portfolio, architecture, and delivery ownership.
2. AI operating model across people, process, technology, and data (weight 3, evidence 3/3) — Direct organization, platform, governance, and workflow transformation.
3. Governance, privacy, Responsible AI, and regulation (weight 3, evidence 3/3) — Direct financial-services, healthcare, privacy, and model-governance evidence.
4. Influence without direct authority (weight 3, evidence 3/3) — Advised 200+ enterprises and led matrixed transformations.
5. Adoption, workforce impact, and change management (weight 2, evidence 3/3) — Direct enablement, communities, workforce products, and change leadership.
6. Manufacturing or CPG context (weight 2, evidence 1/3) — AWS manufacturing exposure is transferable; direct CPG ownership is limited.
7. Verified eligible work model (weight 2, evidence 0/3) — Not stated; retained under the high-fit exception.

## Keyword diagnostic

Strong enterprise AI strategy, governance, operating-model, adoption, and influence match; remote eligibility, manufacturing depth, and travel remain caveats.

## Full normalized job description

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.
Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.
The Director of Artificial Intelligence is a newly created senior leadership role within the Transformation office. This individual will define, govern, and drive the enterprise-wide approach to artificial intelligence. The role takes a holistic view of AI as a service capability, encompassing the people, processes, technologies, and data required to design, deploy, and operate AI solutions responsibly and effectively. Working as an individual contributor, the Head of AI will provide functional leadership to data scientists, technical specialists, and other roles that sit in different groups, while partnering closely with external consultants and internal stakeholders across the organization. Success will be measured by how well AI is understood, accepted, and implemented across First Quality, while ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations and strong alignment with the company’s cultural standards and values.
Key Responsibilities
AI Strategy & Roadmap
Develop and maintain a practical, phased AI strategy and roadmap aligned with business priorities in manufacturing, supply chain, quality, commercial, and supporting functions.
Identify, build, and deploy services that identify attributes of business situations where AI is the appropriate solution while building business case templates and ROI models that deliver measurable operational and business impact.
Continuously assess the evolving AI landscape (technologies, vendors, capabilities, and risks) and translate external developments into relevant recommendations for First Quality.
Holistic Capability Design (People, Process, Technology, Data)
Define the end-to-end operating model for AI services, including the people skills and roles required, process standards, technology architecture preferences, and data foundations.
Partner with existing technical teams and consultants to ensure AI initiatives are designed and delivered with clear ownership, scalability, and sustainability.
Establish practical standards for data readiness, model lifecycle management, and integration with existing systems and manufacturing environments.
Governance, Risk, Compliance & Culture
Build and oversee an AI governance framework that ensures compliance with relevant U.S. and applicable international laws, regulations, and emerging AI-specific requirements.
Embed ethical AI principles and First Quality’s cultural standards into every stage of AI ideation, development, deployment, and ongoing use.
Address people-related concerns (trust, job impact, skills, change resistance) proactively and transparently.
Cross-Enterprise Leadership & Change
Serve as the primary internal expert and trusted advisor on AI to all leaders across the organization.
Lead functional direction for data science and technical resources located in other groups; influence prioritization, quality, and alignment without direct line management.
Drive organizational understanding and acceptance of AI through education, communication, pilot programs, and visible early wins.
Challenge the status quo constructively and help introduce AI-enabled ways of working into an established manufacturing business.
Vendor & Ecosystem Management
Maintain a current understanding of the AI vendor and solution landscape relevant to CPG manufacturing and private-label operations.
Evaluate, recommend, and help manage relationships with technology partners and consultants supporting AI initiatives.
Measurement & Continuous Improvement
Define and track meaningful indicators of AI maturity, adoption, value realization, and compliance.
Continuously refine the approach based on lessons learned, business feedback, and external developments.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
AI Expertise & Strategic Acumen
Deep, practical experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, including their application in real business environments (not purely academic or research settings).
Strong understanding of the current and emerging AI landscape — models, platforms, tools, vendors, and architectural patterns.
Proven ability to translate AI capabilities into concrete business process improvements and automation opportunities.
Business Transformation & Service Introduction
Demonstrated experience introducing new capabilities or services into established organizations, particularly manufacturing or industrial environments.
Track record of challenging the status quo thoughtfully and driving adoption of new ways of working.
Ability to design holistic solutions that integrate people, processes, technology, and data.
Governance, Risk & People Considerations
Solid knowledge of laws, regulations, and emerging standards related to AI, data privacy, and responsible use of technology.
Sensitivity to people’s concerns about AI (trust, skills, workforce impact) and experience addressing them through communication and change management approaches.
Commitment to aligning technology initiatives with organizational culture and values.
Leadership & Influence (Individual Contributor)
Exceptional ability to lead and influence without direct authority across technical teams, business functions, and senior executives.
Strong executive presence and communication skills suitable for senior management interaction and broad organizational engagement.
Experience working effectively with consultants and cross-functional partners.
Additional Capabilities
Comfort operating in a manufacturing / CPG environment (prior experience preferred but strong transferable experience from other complex industrial settings will be considered).
High intellectual curiosity, structured thinking, and practical bias toward action.
Ability to travel to First Quality manufacturing facilities as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
Significant senior-level experience (typically 12+ years) with progressive responsibility in AI, digital transformation, or advanced analytics leadership roles.
Experience in private-label, consumer packaged goods, or process manufacturing environments.
Prior success building AI governance and operating models from an early maturity stage.
Relevant technical, analytical, or business discipline is beneficial but not required if compensated by deep practical experience.
This role offers the opportunity to shape the foundation of AI at a successful values-driven manufacturing company at the beginning of its journey — combining strategic influence, practical execution, and responsible leadership.
What We Offer You
We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:
Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
Paid time off (three-week minimum)
Medical, dental and vision starting day one
401(k) with employer match
Paid parental leave
Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3750)
Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
Tuition assistance
Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
...and more!
First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.
First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

## Artifact metadata

- Resume: https://bit.ly/4723nyl
- Cover letter: https://bit.ly/4xpxnPr
- Validation: PASS — 2-page resume (961 words), 1-page cover letter (197 words); PDF geometry, bounds, annotations, links, and visual pages verified.
- Google Drive used: No