SME – AI DevOps – HAP

Job Title: SME – AI DevOps – HAP

Job Location: Bangalore, India

Function: Digital & Technology – HAP

Reports: Senior Manager, HAP
Scope: Global
Terms & Conditions:  Full-time, permanent. Applicants must have the right to work in India.

About Unilever:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.

Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you. 

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to turn the promise of AI into everyday business value at Unilever. As the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for AI DevOps within HAP, you will bring hands-on expertise across the development, deployment and operation of AI, Agentic AI and automation solutions – working closely with business teams around the world to understand their challenges, recommend the right technology, build proof of concepts and minimum viable products, and guide successful solutions into production at scale. Bringing together business consulting, solution architecture and delivery expertise, you will shape how AI solutions are designed, built and run – and you will do it cost-consciously, so that every pound we invest in AI creates measurable impact. With 3.4 billion people using our products every day, the solutions you shape here reach a very long way. You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet.

Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with business teams across markets and functions to spot where AI and automation can simplify processes, lift productivity and speed up decision-making.
• Design and deliver scalable AI, Agentic AI and automation solutions that solve real business problems end to end – from idea through to production deployment.
• Build proof of concepts and minimum viable products independently, so value is proven quickly with working software rather than slideware.
• Translate business requirements into secure, supportable and scalable technical designs that meet enterprise architecture, security and governance standards.
• Evaluate competing technology options and recommend the best fit based on business value, technical feasibility, scalability and cost.
• Bring subject matter expertise to establish reusable architecture patterns, best practices and delivery standards that make the next delivery faster than the last.
• Drive cost optimization across AI, automation and cloud platforms – simplifying architectures, optimizing low-code and pro-code solutions and reducing total cost of ownership.
• Support FinOps through proactive monitoring and optimization of cloud consumption and AI running costs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders – holding your own in conversations with executive stakeholders, building credibility quickly, and explaining architecture decisions, trade-offs and recommendations with equal clarity to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Influence senior decision-makers on technology direction and investment by using evidence and working demonstrations to build alignment and secure buy-in across functions and geographies.
• Work with delivery partners and vendors to convert proof of concepts into scaled solutions – reviewing technical designs, challenging approaches and ensuring quality, timelines and cost deliver the best business outcome.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology or a related discipline. 
• Proven experience designing, developing and deploying enterprise-scale AI, automation or digital solutions in a production environment. 
• Deep subject matter expertise backed by hands-on capability – you build proof of concepts and production-ready solutions yourself, rather than only directing others.
• Experience working directly with business stakeholders to shape solution strategies and technology roadmaps. 
• Practical experience with Generative AI and Agentic AI solutions, including Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering and AI solution design. 
• Strong cloud and technical expertise on Microsoft Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform – for example Azure AI Services, Azure OpenAI, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Cloud Functions, Databricks, SQL and data platforms, API integration and integration architecture.
• Experience working across global, cross-functional and multicultural teams.
• Confidence and presence with senior stakeholders – a proven ability to engage, challenge and influence leaders independently, communicate complex technical ideas in plain business language, and build lasting trusted relationships across a global organization. 
• Strong stakeholder and vendor management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to think strategically and solve problems pragmatically. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in FMCG, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Customer Operations or Enterprise Functions. 
• Experience with agent and low-code platforms such as Microsoft Copilot Studio, Microsoft Cowork and Google ADK. 
• Experience managing external delivery partners and technology vendors, including reviewing their technical designs and challenging delivery quality and cost. 
• A track record of driving technology modernization, cost optimization or FinOps initiatives. 
• Business analysis and design thinking skills, used to frame problems before building solutions.

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This role is based in Bangalore, India and operates with a global scope, working with colleagues and partners across time zones.

How you work matters as much as what you build. You will Focus on What Counts by prioritizing the highest-value problems; Care Deeply by building trusted partnerships with stakeholders, partners and teams; Deliver with Excellence by raising the bar on solution quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness; and Stay 3 Steps Ahead by anticipating technology shifts and emerging AI opportunities.

You will know you are succeeding when you can independently engage and influence senior leaders – earning their confidence, navigating differing priorities with diplomacy and translating their challenges into practical AI solutions – demonstrate working solutions rather than relying solely on external partners, select the right technology stack for each use case, simplify architectures to reduce operating cost, and influence technology and investment decisions through strong consulting and communication skills.

Note: All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent—please verify before proceeding

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