Vice President, Business Transformation Leader; AI-Enabled

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward-thinking, open-minded, and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. Reporting to the CFO, and flexible in relocation which can be discussed further during the interview process located in our Denver, Colorado or Rochester Hills, Michigan offices, the Vice President the Business Transformation Leader is responsible for driving enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that deliver measurable business value through the application of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and process redesign.

This role partners with Executive, Regional, and Functional leadership to translate strategic priorities into executable programs and sustainable outcomes across a global, matrixed organization.

• Lead development and execution of an enterprise-wide transformation roadmap aligned to strategic and financial objectives.
• Ability to map processes (experience with these tools) to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities.
• Identify, prioritize, and scale AI-enabled use cases (e.g., generative AI, machine learning, automation) that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Partner with executive leadership to define transformation priorities, secure funding, and ensure alignment with enterprise strategy.
• Lead cross-functional execution across operations, supply chain, commercial, and corporate functions.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and governance processes to track transformation progress and value realization.
• Drive change management strategies to embed new ways of working and ensure sustained adoption of new AI tools and capabilities.
• Build enterprise AI capability through workforce enablement, upskilling, and integration into daily workflows.
• Work with IT organization to integrate AI into major system platforms cleanly and efficiently.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing transformation team.

• Drives Results:
  Demonstrates accountability for delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Strategic Mindset:
  Connects transformation initiatives to long-term enterprise value.
• Enterprise Leadership:
  Influences and aligns stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Change Leadership:
  Leads through ambiguity and builds organizational readiness.
• Digital & AI Fluency:
  Applies AI and digital technologies to solve business problems.
• Collaboration:
  
  Builds strong partnerships across functions and down through the regional business units.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in business transformation, consulting, or operational leadership roles.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale transformation initiatives with measurable results.
• Strong working knowledge of AI, machine learning, and automation technologies.
• Experience leading change management in complex, global organizations.
• Experience with lean/efficiency/analytical tools like VSM, error proofing, 5-Why, etc.
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills.
• MBA or relevant advanced degree.
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Familiarity with ERPs or enterprise platforms.
• Certifications in PMP, Lean/Six Sigma, or AI/ML.