AI Solutions and Automations Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: AI & Automation Solutions Analyst

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Employment Type: Full Time

Reports To: Director of IT

Travel: 10-15%

Work Schedule:  Monday-Friday (8AM-5PM)

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range: 85,000-105,000k per year

Incentive Pay: Quarterly performance bonus

Benefits Summary: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) profit sharing, Vacation, Holidays, Floating Holidays, Company-paid LTD and life insurance, and Sick leave

Position Overview:

The AI & Automation Solutions Analyst is a hands-on problem-solver responsible for diagnosing operational and business challenges across Next Phase Enterprises (NPE) and its sister company, Food Story Brands (FSB), and shipping practical solutions that drive measurable improvement. This role sits at the intersection of business operations and technology — translating real problems into real solutions, using whatever tools fit the job.

Reporting to the Director of IT with an explicit mandate from Operations, this role is for someone who is fluent in modern automation platforms, AI tools, and process improvement methods — but more importantly, someone who has the judgment to know which tool to reach for, when to combine them, and when to recognize that a particular problem shouldn't be automated at all.

If you love digging into business problems, talking with stakeholders, and shipping solutions that actually get used — and you're equally comfortable in a Power Automate flow, a Zapier integration, a Copilot Studio agent, or a well-crafted prompt — this is the role.

Requirements:

Diagnose Business Problems

• Partner with operational leaders across NPE and Food Story Brands to understand the work they do, where time and quality are lost, and where solutions could have real impact.
• Conduct discovery sessions with stakeholders: ask the right questions, map current-state processes, identify root causes (not just symptoms).
• Distinguish between problems that need automation, problems that need better process, problems that need AI, and problems that need a human decision — and recommend accordingly.
• Document findings clearly so stakeholders can validate your understanding before you build.

Ship Solutions with the Right Tools

• Design and deploy automations using whichever platform fits the problem: Power Automate, Power Apps, Logic Apps, Zapier, Make, n8n, or others as needed.
• Build AI-powered solutions using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Custom GPTs, Claude / OpenAI tools, and other AI platforms when AI is the right answer.
• Integrate systems — NetSuite, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Asana, and others — using no-code, low-code, or scripted approaches as appropriate.
• Write light scripts (PowerShell, Python, JavaScript) when no-code tools don't fit, and the problem genuinely requires custom work.
• Know when not to build - sometimes the right answer is process change, training, or escalation rather than automation.

Drive Adoption & Measure Impact

• Train end users, write clear documentation, and partner with stakeholders to ensure solutions are actually adopted.
• Measure and document the impact of every solution — time saved, errors reduced, throughput improved, cost avoided.
• Continuously refine solutions based on user feedback and observed outcomes.
• Share findings back to the Director of IT to inform broader strategy and roadmap decisions.
• Partner Across the Business
• Serve as a trusted advisor to operational leaders on what's possible with modern automation and AI tools — and what isn't.
• Stay current on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and automation tooling; bring useful innovations back to the organization.
• Apply sound judgment around data handling, security, and responsible use of AI in every solution you ship.
• Collaborate with the Director of IT on harder technical work and help triage when problems require deeper engineering.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Information Systems, Operations, Computer Science, or a related field — or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• 4–7 years of professional experience in business analysis, solutions delivery, automation development, IT systems work, or a closely related role.
• Demonstrated track record of shipping working business solutions that drove measurable impact — bring specific examples.
• Hands-on experience with at least two automation platforms (e.g., Power Automate, Zapier, Make, n8n, Logic Apps). Familiarity across multiple platforms is strongly preferred.
• Working fluency with AI tools — prompt design, Copilot Studio, Custom GPTs, or similar — and a track record of using AI to solve real problems.
• Strong analytical and process-mapping skills; comfortable interviewing stakeholders and translating ambiguous needs into clear solutions.
• Comfort with light scripting (PowerShell, Python, JavaScript, or similar) for cases when no-code tools don't fit.
• Working knowledge of API integration concepts, authentication, and data flow between systems.
• Comfort working in the Microsoft 365 / Azure ecosystem.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical solutions clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated judgment to recognize when automation or AI is NOT the right answer.

Hiring Process

Our process may include application review, interviews, assessments, reference checks, and a conditional offer.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status.

Accommodation Statement

Applicants needing accommodation during the hiring process may contact human resources @ View email address on ziprecruiter.com. com

Work Authorization

Employment is contingent upon the ability to work lawfully in the United States and completion of employment eligibility verification after hire.

Background Check / Drug Testing

Employment offers may be contingent upon job-related screening, where permitted by law.

At Will Employment

Employment with Next Phase Enterprises is at-will, meaning either the employee or the company may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

This job postings not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. The company reserves the right to modify this description at any time.

Company Description

About Next Phase Enterprises

Next Phase Enterprises (NPE) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based food brokerage firm dedicated to connecting manufacturers to the Club, Mass Merchant, and Kroger retail channels in the most cost-effective manner. Our mission is simple: deliver the highest quality customer service to our partners and customers — and we back that up every day.

At NPE, we're not just building business relationships — we're building a family. Our team operates with a shared set of values centered on NPE Spirit, Servant Leadership, and a commitment to Honesty & Integrity. We believe the best idea wins the day, and we foster a culture where every team member has a voice, a purpose, and a path forward.

We are driven by a vision to become the most effective, efficient, and reliable food broker for our core customers. That means our people are entrepreneurial, proactive, and always searching for meaningful ways to add value — not just for our clients, but for each other.

What you'll find at NPE:
- A stable, growth-oriented work environment with real opportunity to learn and advance
- A culture built on Mutual Trust & Respect — we believe the best in each other
- Comprehensive benefits and a commitment to sharing in the company's success
- A Life-Work Blend philosophy that values you as a whole person
- Community-minded leadership with deep roots in the Phoenix area

If you're someone who thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment, leads with integrity, and takes pride in going above and beyond for customers and teammates alike — you'll feel right at home here.

Join the NPE Family. Be the change you seek.

Company Description

About Next Phase Enterprises\r\n\r\nNext Phase Enterprises (NPE) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based food brokerage firm dedicated to connecting manufacturers to the Club, Mass Merchant, and Kroger retail channels in the most cost-effective manner. Our mission is simple: deliver the highest quality customer service to our partners and customers — and we back that up every day.\r\n\r\nAt NPE, we're not just building business relationships — we're building a family. Our team operates with a shared set of values centered on NPE Spirit, Servant Leadership, and a commitment to Honesty & Integrity. We believe the best idea wins the day, and we foster a culture where every team member has a voice, a purpose, and a path forward.\r\n\r\nWe are driven by a vision to become the most effective, efficient, and reliable food broker for our core customers. That means our people are entrepreneurial, proactive, and always searching for meaningful ways to add value — not just for our clients, but for each other.\r\n\r\nWhat you'll find at NPE:\r\n- A stable, growth-oriented work environment with real opportunity to learn and advance\r\n- A culture built on Mutual Trust & Respect — we believe the best in each other\r\n- Comprehensive benefits and a commitment to sharing in the company's success\r\n- A Life-Work Blend philosophy that values you as a whole person\r\n- Community-minded leadership with deep roots in the Phoenix area\r\n\r\nIf you're someone who thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment, leads with integrity, and takes pride in going above and beyond for customers and teammates alike — you'll feel right at home here.\r\n\r\nJoin the NPE Family. Be the change you seek.