Cape Town: AI Solutions Lead (Durbanville OR Centurion) posted by Datafin

About the Role

Datafin is seeking a forward-thinking and business-oriented AI Solutions Lead to drive real-world implementation of Artificial Intelligence across the organisation. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for identifying high-impact opportunities for AI and driving operational strategy and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Walk the floor, engage teams, and map workflows to determine where AI can unlock productivity, business insights, or automation and competitive advantages.
• Develop a wide and deep understanding of industry and business trends, identify and translate opportunities and challenges into structured problem and solutions statements.
• Use your understanding of physical processes, constraints, and technology to assess viability.
• Prioritize opportunities based on business impact, effort, and speed to value.
• Develop clear, ROI-driven business cases that align with operational goals.
• Present and communicate these opportunities to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Scout, evaluate, and collaborate with third-party AI vendors, domain experts, and technology providers.
• Serve as the internal Project Lead translating business needs to external providers and ensuring delivery stays aligned with outcomes.
• Coordinate implementation efforts across business units and external partners.
• Define success metrics, monitor progress, and remove roadblocks to execution.
• Develop and lead training efforts to build awareness and capability around the new tools or workflows.
• Champion a practical understanding of AI what it is, what it isnt, and where it can help.
• Host workshops, lead internal demonstrations, and empower teams to think differently.
• Help build a culture that is open to experimentation and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Qualifications:
• Masters or Bachelors Degree in Business, Engineering, Innovation, Operations, or a related field.

Experience/Skills

• 5+ Years of experience in Operations, Product Development, Innovation, Continuous Improvement, or Business Transformation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage external technology partners.
• Fluent in English, with exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging confidently across technical and executive audiences.
• Able to influence across technical and business domains.
• Has strong business instincts.
• Naturally curious, hands-on, and relentless about solving real problems.
• Not afraid of technology, but more focused on what it enables rather than how it works under the hood.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Outstanding organisational and time management skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Nice to Have (But Not Required)

• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in Operations or Manufacturing.
• Experience working with Technology Vendors, Solution Providers, or Consultants.
• Exposure to innovation frameworks like Lean, Six Sigma, Design Thinking, or Agile.