Job Description
Job Summary:
Responsible for bridging Milacron's business operations and the enterprise AI platform within an assigned business unit (Supply Chain, HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Sales, Aftermarket, or India). The AI Translator is a credible business operator — not a machine learning engineer — who translates business problems into AI use cases, drives model adoption on the ground, owns the EBITDA outcomes associated with the BU's AI initiatives, and absorbs capability from external system integrators so the business can run independently. This role is the connective tissue between the Central AI / Data Center of Excellence and the business unit it serves, and is expected to deliver from problem identification to first pilot within 60–90 days under Milacron's embedded hybrid AI operating model.
Essential / Key Functions:
• Translate business problems into structured AI use cases for the Central AI / Data CoE, and translate model outputs, assumptions, and constraints back into business language for the BU leadership team
• Maintain deep BU-specific fluency in workflows, KPIs, systems of record, and the underlying data sources owned by the assigned business unit
• Own change management on the ground — train, coach, and earn user trust so AI adoption sticks beyond pilot and becomes the default way of working
• Hold accountability for the EBITDA KPIs assigned to the BU's AI portfolio (e.g., revenue uplift, cost reduction, cycle-time improvement, working-capital release)
• Govern AI deployments within the BU by flagging model risk, data quality issues, biased or unintended outputs, and escalating appropriately to the CoE governance function
• Absorb capability from system integrators and external vendors so the BU can sustain, extend, and eventually evolve AI solutions without ongoing third-party dependency
• Partner with Central AI / Data CoE platform engineers and ML developers to prioritize the backlog, define data contracts, and validate model performance against business outcomes
• Lead use-case discovery, business case development, and post-deployment ROI measurement for AI initiatives within the BU, in alignment with enterprise investment guardrails
• Coordinate data preparation, system integration, and pilot rollouts with internal IT, data engineering, and external delivery partners
• Champion responsible AI practices including data privacy, model explainability, human-in-the-loop controls, and clear audit trails for AI-influenced decisions
• Represent the BU in enterprise AI governance forums and contribute to the company-wide AI roadmap and investment prioritization
• Travel domestically and occasionally internationally to BU sites, customer facilities, and partner / vendor locations as required to observe workflows and drive adoption
• Other AI-related activities as requested by the Senior Director, AI & Engineering or the Operating Leadership Team
Minimum (Required) Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations, analytics, computer science, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred but not required
• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations, business management, or functional leadership within a manufacturing, industrial, or capital equipment environment
• Demonstrated track record of owning and delivering measurable P&L outcomes (revenue, cost, margin, working capital, or service-level performance)
• Working fluency with AI / ML concepts, generative AI applications, and modern data platforms — sufficient to scope use cases, evaluate vendor proposals, and challenge model assumptions, without requiring hands-on model development
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with proven ability to influence senior business leaders, technical teams, and external partners across multiple time zones
• Experience leading change management and digital adoption programs in environments with mixed levels of technical comfort and digital maturity
• Proficient with Microsoft 365, Salesforce (SFDC), PowerBI or equivalent BI tools, and modern collaboration platforms
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to move fluidly between technical and non-technical audiences and between front-line operators and executive leadership
• Sound judgment on data quality, model risk, and the limits of AI — and the willingness to push back on use cases that do not meet the bar for business value or responsible deployment
• Prior experience working alongside system integrators or consulting partners and successfully transitioning capability in-house is strongly preferred
• Plastics processing, capital equipment, aftermarket service, or industrial manufacturing domain knowledge is strongly preferred
• An ML engineering, data science, or PhD background is not required and is not a substitute for business operating experience
• Prior experience with Palantir Foundry and/or Ontology is strongly preferred.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
Physical and sensory demands are representative of an employee working in fast-paced office, manufacturing plant, and customer-facility environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to read, communicate, write, type, and sit for extended periods, and to move through plant floor and customer-facility environments to observe workflows and engage with operators.
Employee may be periodically exposed to moving equipment, mechanical parts in motion, and other hazards associated with a manufacturing environment such as overhead cranes, welding, machining, and painting. Domestic and occasional international travel to BU sites, customer facilities, and partner / vendor locations is expected.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ADA defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:
• Additional modifying equipment or devices;
• Modified work schedules;
• Providing an interpreter; or
• Making the work environment readily accessible to individuals with disabilities.
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Who we are:
Milacron is a global leader in the manufacture, distribution and service of highly engineered and customized systems within the $27 billion plastic technology and processing industry. We are the only global company with a full-line product portfolio that includes hot runner systems, injection molding, extrusion equipment. We maintain strong market positions across these products, as well as leading positions in process control systems, mold bases and components, maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) supplies for plastic processing equipment. Our strategy is to deliver highly customized equipment, components and service to our customers throughout the lifecycle of their plastic processing technology systems.
EEO:
The policy of Milacron is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status. We are committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offer opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at recruitingaccommodations@milacron.com. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
