AI Labs Senior Manager
Maximize AI leverage to build the operating systems that run our 3PL business.
Who We Are:
United States Cold Storage owns and operates one of the most complex temperature-controlled logistics networks in North America. Every day, our systems coordinate the storage and movement of food on a national scale across a network of state-of-the-art distribution centers, including multiple highly automated warehouse facilities.
We continue to advance our core warehouse and logistics platforms. Our current focus is on modular, event-driven, API-first and cloud architecture. We continue to enhance reliability and accelerate engineering productivity by strengthening our SRE and AI practices. This is a large investment in innovation to continue to drive operational excellence at our facilities.
If you want to help us accelerate the building of durable systems that operate in the physical world at scale, this is that opportunity.
The Role:
As AI Labs Senior Manager, you will build and lead the function responsible for applying Generative AI where it creates measurable operational leverage—not novelty.
Your mandate is to identify high-impact AI use cases, develop internal tools and agentic systems, and embed AI capabilities directly into how engineering and IT teams design, build, and operate systems at scale.
You will partner deeply with Software Engineering, Data, Infrastructure, and Product leaders, and report directly to the VP of Technology with visibility at the executive level.
What You’ll Own:
- A GenAI Labs team focused on applied engineering, enablement, and rapid R&D—not demos.
- Internal AI tooling and agentic systems that improve delivery velocity, reliability, and decision-making.
- Clear adoption metrics and value tracking for enterprise AI initiatives with a focus on our warehouse execution system.
- Technical standards, best practices, and training that scale AI usage responsibly across IT.
- Ongoing evaluation of emerging AI models and tools, translating signal into production-ready solutions.
- The discovery, prioritization, and delivery of AI use cases tied to real operational outcomes.
What We Are Looking For:
- Proven experience implementing and scaling GenAI tools in a technical organization.
- Hands-on understanding of how AI accelerates software, data, or infrastructure engineering.
- Strong architectural and problem-solving skills across software, data platforms, and cloud systems.
- Experience modernizing development practices and modernizing systems using AI-assisted or agentic approaches.
- A track record of leading technical teams through meaningful change.
- Ability to communicate clearly with both engineers and senior leaders.
- A builder’s mindset: pragmatic, systems-oriented, and accountable for outcomes.
Technical Environment:
- Deep knowledge and expertise in Agentic AI tools – Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot. You should be the go to expert on tools and best practices.
- AI-assisted and agentic development patterns embedded into engineering workflows.
- Enterprise systems experience in Java, React and Postgres centric systems.
- Azure-first cloud environment.
- Distributed systems design and architecture.
- Modernization from legacy platforms toward service-oriented and event-driven architectures.
- Experience designing mission-critical systems for uptime, observability, operational reliability and recoverability.
Why This Role Is Different:
- You are not experimenting at the edges—you are shaping how IT and the wider business will adopt the AI revolution that is at our doorsteps.
- The problems are constrained, real, and complex: legacy systems, modern systems, data systems, system integrations and physical operations at enterprise scale.
- Success is measured in reliability, throughput, and operational improvement—not slideware.
- This is long-term platform work with executive sponsorship, not a short-term innovation lab.
Compensation & Structure:
- Salary Range: $180,000.00 - $220,000.00/yr.
- Bonus Eligible
- Full-Time, Exempt
- Reports to: Vice President of Technology
- Travel: Less than 10%
- Location: Hybrid, Camden, NJ
Operational Context:
This role is primarily technical and office-based, with occasional interaction in operational environments depending on system needs.
Benefits Include:
If annual hours are attained, these benefits may apply. Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Legal Insurance, Pet Discount, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Long Term Care + Permanent Life Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Short Term Disability Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, Supplemental Disability Insurance, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Supplemental Spouse Life Insurance, Child Life Insurance, Loan Solution, Health Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Flexible Spending Account, Telemedicine, Virtual Primary Care, Prescription Savings Plan, Prescription Specialty Copay Assistance Program, Weight Management Program, Chronic Condition Management, Care Navigator Program, 24/7 Nurse Line, Expert Medical Opinion, Precious Additions Maternity Program, Health Advocacy, Employee Assistance Program, Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Digital Physical Therapy, Behavioral and Mental Health Platforms, Auto and home discount program, Secure Travel Protection, Discount Programs, 401(k) plan, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, Referral program & Commuter Benefit (NJ ONLY).
Physical & Operational Context:
May require physical effort associated with using the computer to access information, or occasional standing, walking, lifting needed to carry out everyday activities. Effective communication, vision, and hearing are essential for safety and productivity. Operate scanners, tablets, radios, phones, computers, and other essential equipment as required. Additional work hours may be requested by management to help manage employee production, projects, and/or special events. Engage in frequent personal interaction and communication. Attend in-person meetings and/or training on a regular basis. Possess strong arithmetic and reading skills. Follow verbal instructions, written instructions, and company policies. Work independently and coordinate with others. Fast-paced environment, managing stress and meeting productivity standards.
Additional Information:
Job functions may vary based on the area of operation. This description outlines the most common tasks required for the job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties. This job description may not encompass all tasks necessary to complete the role.
#INDIT
Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Top Skills
What We Do
For more than 125 years, United States Cold Storage (USCS) has protected America’s food supply through a national network of 39 world‑class, temperature‑controlled facilities across 14 states. Today, that mission is driven as much by software as it is by steel and concrete. Behind every truck, pallet, and movement is a modern, in‑house engineering organization building the mission‑critical systems that run our warehouses. Our teams develop and operate the technology that tracks inventory in real time, optimizes labor and throughput, integrates automation and robotics, and connects seamlessly with our partners’ supply chains. We work across multiple clouds and databases, leverage modern data platforms like Snowflake, and solve complex computer science problems—from optimization to routing at scale. With more than 4,300 employees and a 200+ person IT organization operating like a modern product and engineering group, USCS offers the rare combination of stability, scale, and complex technical challenges. We do whatever it takes to help our partners profitably reach their goals—whether that’s primary cold storage or fully integrated third‑party logistics—because when the temperature matters, getting it right matters even more. Our facilities are located in: California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
Why Work With Us
USCS is a family built on trust, teamwork, and pride. From freezer floors to engineering, everyone helps build the next generation of cold storage with practical tech that makes operations safer and smarter—because here, you don’t just keep food moving—you build how it moves next.
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