Development Manager - AI Delivery Factory

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

LDC is pursuing an exciting digital journey, driving industrialization of IT delivery, and innovating with cutting-edge technology (Cloud, AI and Machine Learning, Agile DevOps/ SecOps, data mesh, RPA, research repositories).

We are at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (Gen AI) technologies to deliver innovative solutions across our product lines. To strengthen our capabilities, we have established an AI Delivery Center in India. This center is a vital component of our global AI initiatives, collaborating with product teams to transform business challenges into data-driven, AI-powered solutions.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced AI Development Manager to lead and manage our external delivery team in India. Based in India and working in an international team, you will act as LDC’s "boots on the ground" to ensure our GenAI applications and platforms are delivered with high velocity, rigorous quality, and strict adherence to internal standards.

We operate in an agile, fast-paced environment that demands an entrepreneurial mindset. You will not simply execute a rigid checklist; you will be handed complex, ambiguous problems and expected to take full ownership, define the path forward (with support), and drive solutions. Your core mission is to drive SDLC best practices, drive velocity, remove technical and organizational blockers, enforce technical governance, and cultivate a culture of engineering excellence across multiple interdependent product streams.

Key Responsibilities

• Velocity Enablement & Product Alignment
  • Translate Strategy into Execution: Work closely with the internal Product Managers to ensure strategic priorities and user stories are translated into implementable, high-quality technical plans. Ensure developers deeply understand the "why" behind the user stories so their code meets the intended business outcomes.
  • Navigate the Matrix: Help the delivery team maintain momentum by acting as the primary technical liaison for internal LDC teams (Cloud, Networking, Cybersecurity, Architecture). Unblock the team by facilitating the right technical contacts across the enterprise.
  • Manage Complex Dependencies: Proactively track and coordinate technical dependencies between our distinct products and platforms, to ensure seamless integration and predictable delivery as the team scales.
• Technical Governance & Engineering Excellence
  • Enforce Architecture Standards: Ensure all technical work strictly follows LDC's approved frameworks, change controls, security requirements, and release practices as defined by the Internal Architect.
  • Raise the Quality Bar: Address variability in vendor output by mandating robust QA practices, automated testing, and strict CI/CD discipline. Validate the technical quality of the vendor's work.
  • Drive Operational Readiness & Observability: Ensure features are built to be monitored and supported. Mandate sufficient logging, tracing, clear documentation, and proper support handover.
  • Challenge the Status Quo: Detect delivery risks early. Challenge the use of off-pattern solutions, unapproved frameworks, poor testing discipline, or unnecessary code duplication.
• Vendor Partnership & Escalation Management
  • Act as the Vendor SPOC for LDC Delivery Management: Serve as the single point of contact for LDC’s Service Delivery Managers (SDMs). While you will not manage the vendor's administrative needs, you will ensure SDMs have the operational visibility they need to manage the vendor relationship, handle invoicing, and resolve contractual issues.
  • Maintain Delivery Visibility: Maintain clear oversight of vendor capacity, staffing, and execution risks, escalating systemic vendor issues quickly to the Product Managers or SDMs.
• Mindset & Ownership:
  • Committed Ownership: Take full accountability for technical delivery outcomes, even when the path isn't perfectly mapped out. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone to solve problems rather than waiting for instructions.
  • Entrepreneurial Agility: Move fast, adapt to changing requirements, and proactively identify areas for improvement without needing a highly structured, predefined set of daily tasks.
  • Comfort with Ambiguity: Thrive in a dynamic environment where processes are evolving. Confidently take a loosely defined problem, ask the right questions, and build a solution from scratch.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in software engineering or technical delivery with a recent focus on platform development or GenAI applications.
• Proven track record of driving excellence in technical delivery. Considered a strong advantage if this has been done with external vendors, or offshore development teams.
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex enterprise environments (e.g., coordinating with Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Networking teams) to successfully drive development velocity.
• Strong technical foundation in modern Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) best practices, including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and release management.
• Working knowledge of cloud environments (e.g., Microsoft Azure) and enterprise architecture—understand dependencies, facilitate technical discussions, and enforce standards.
• Ability to critically evaluate technical designs, challenge sub-optimal architectural choices, and mandate observability/monitoring standards.
• Practical understanding of the GenAI technology stack (e.g., LLM integrations, Agentic frameworks, Observability) and the unique challenges of operationalizing AI products.
• Familiarity with enterprise IT systems architecture, integration patterns, and data engineering fundamentals.

• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Highly adaptable and comfortable taking committed ownership of ambiguous, loosely defined technical problems without requiring a rigid daily checklist.
• Cross-Functional Translation: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to understand complex business processes and constraints and communicate these to developers, and technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders.
• Velocity Focus: A relentless, results-oriented drive to remove operational friction, accelerate delivery timelines, and maintain engineering excellence.
• Diplomatic Pushback: Ability to firmly but constructively challenge both external vendors (on code quality/standards) and internal teams (on process bottlenecks).

• Languages:  Excellent proficiency in English, both written and spoken is non-negotiable. Additional languages are a plus.

• Academics: Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, or a related field.

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

We offer

• A workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity
• Opportunities for Professional Growth and Development
• Employee Recognition Program
• Employee Wellness Programs - Confidential access to certified counselors for employee and eligible family members, along with monthly wellness awareness sessions.
• Certified Great Place to Work