Manager, Smart Manufacturing & Artificial Intelligence Global Operations Improvement

As Smart Manufacturing & Artificial Intelligence (SMAI) Global Operations Improvement (OI) Manager, you would direct the activities of a data science team, responsible for the design, development, programming methods, processes and systems to consolidate and analyze unstructured, diverse big data sources to generate actionable insights and solutions for businesses across the company.
Oversee the development of software programs, algorithms and automated processes that cleanse, integrate and evaluate large data sets from multiple disparate sources.
Identify and communicate to partners, meaningful, actionable insights from large data and metadata sources. Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel ensuring the efficient operation of the function.

Responsibilities

As the Data Science Team Manager within the SMAI (Smart Manufacturing & AI) department, you will lead a team of data scientists to develop and deploy AI-driven solutions that support global operational excellence. You will play a key role in driving SMAI's strategic initiatives by using advanced analytics, cloud technologies, and across function collaboration.

• Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists focused on delivering scalable AI solutions aligned with SMAI's global strategy.

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Strategic Execution & Partner Engagement

• Translate SMAI department strategy into actionable data science initiatives that support business goals across manufacturing, supply chain, and operations.

• Collaborate with global partners to identify high-impact opportunities and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.

• Technical Guidance & Solution Delivery

• Guide the team in designing and implementing AI/ML models using tools such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP), BigQuery, and Vertex AI.

• Ensure robust data pipelines and model deployment using SQL, Python, and cloud-native technologies.

• Promote practices in model development, validation, and monitoring.

• Data Governance & Innovation

• Champion data quality, security, and compliance across all projects.

• Know the latest with emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, and drive adoption of relevant innovations.

Requirements

• Educational Background

• Bachelor's or Master's degree or equivalent experience in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field

• Japanese & English communication skill

• Professional Experience

• 5+ years of experience in data science or analytics, with at least 2 years in a leadership or managerial role.

• Proven track record of delivering AI-related solutions in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain domains.

• Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, and data modeling techniques.

• Hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services such as BigQuery, Vertex AI, and Cloud Functions.

• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, scikit-learn) and MLOps practices.

• Strategic & Capabilities across Functions

• Ability to translate SMAI department strategy into actionable data science initiatives.

• Strong partner management and communication skills across global teams.

• Experience working in agile environments and managing multiple concurrent projects.

• Leadership & Innovation

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement in AI and smart manufacturing technologies.