> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2596299-data-director](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2596299-data-director). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Data Director - **Company:** Kemin Industries, Inc. - **Location:** Des Moines, IA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Bioinformatics, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Unstructured Data, IT Architecture, Data Strategy, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Legacy Systems, Databricks - **Published:** August 12, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=02a435b01ba2612a ## About the Role * Education and Experience: + Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related experience. * Strong executive communication skills; able to translate data strategy into business outcomes for non-technical leadership. * Background in manufacturing, life sciences, chemicals, CPG, or other R&D-intensive, data-complex environments. * Demonstrated success improving data quality, trust, and usability across fragmented systems and legacy platforms. * Experience partnering with IT architecture and engineering teams while setting enterprise data standards, priorities, and design expectations. * Strong understanding of modern data platforms (e.g., lakehouse architectures) and their role in enabling analytics and AI. * Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment without direct authority. * Experience establishing or scaling data governance frameworks, stewardship models, or domain ownership structures. We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision-making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email TalentAcquisition.US@Kemin.com. A post-offer background check and drug screen is required. Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position. ## Description The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural direction, standards, and prioritization to enable analytics, business intelligence, and AI initiatives. Operating within a hybrid model, this role sets enterprise data architecture expectations and governance while closely partnering with IT teams responsible for execution and platform operations. The Director of Data aligns data priorities with business, Operations, R&D, Finance, etc. needs, restores trust in enterprise data, and ensures data investments translate into measurable business value., Enterprise Data Strategy & Direction * Establish the enterprise data strategy and target-state architecture that supports analytics, AI, and decision-making use cases. * Translate business, Operations, Finance, R&D, etc. priorities into clear data architecture and sequencing guidance. * Define what "analytics-ready" and "AI-ready" data means at Kemin and ensure alignment across teams. Data Standards & Oversight * Define and maintain data standards, patterns, and design principles for structured and unstructured data. * Provide functional leadership and architectural direction to data architecture resources operating within IT. * Chair or co-chair architecture governance forums to review designs, resolve tradeoffs, and approve exceptions. Data Governance, Quality & Trust Enablement * Define governance frameworks, roles, and accountability models aligned to high-value data domains. * Set data quality thresholds and improvement priorities based on analytics and AI business needs. * Partner with IT and business data owners to remediate critical data quality issues and improve usability. Data Analytics and Data Engineering * Define platform expectations and workload strategies (e.g., Databricks, Fabric) to support analytics and AI use cases. * Partner with IT to ensure platform decisions are aligned to data strategy rather than infrastructure convenience alone. * Ensure priority AI pilots and analytics initiatives are supported by appropriate data foundations and pipelines. Cross Functional Leadership & Development * Partner with Finance to define ROI measurement frameworks and baseline metrics for data and AI investments. * Align stakeholders on priorities, trade offs, and sequencing when data quality or architecture constraints exist. * Communicate data strategy, progress, and risks clearly to senior leadership in business terms. ## Related Videos - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Hacking Your Vacation: Using Data for Fun](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/585-hacking-your-vacation-using-data-for-fun) - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [Cutting LLM Costs Without Cutting Quality: How to Beat Proprietary LLMs with Fine-Tuned Open Source](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100151-cutting-llm-costs-without-cutting-quality-how-to-beat-proprietary-llms-with-fine-tuned-open-source) - [Data Governance in the Era of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1622-data-governance-in-the-era-of-ai) - [Big Business, Big Barriers? Stress-Testing AI Initiatives.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1022-big-business-big-barriers-stress-testing-ai-initiatives) ## Related Articles - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer)