Manager - Data and AI

Comspek International; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Toyota New Zealand is seeking a Manager Data & AI to lead the digital evolution. You will drive the transition to Microsoft Fabric, build AI capabilities with Microsoft technologies, and establish Data & AI frameworks for safe, confident data use across the business.

You will partner with business teams and vendors to deliver trusted platforms, data quality, and measurable value while lifting data literacy and ownership of data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience in data analytics, AI, or data science roles.
• Proven experience managing data or AI teams, ideally within enterprise environments.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric and Azure data services, Microsoft AI technologies, and modern cloud platforms.
• Experience deploying AI/ML models to solve business problems and generate insights.
• Experience designing Data & AI frameworks including data ownership, quality, security, privacy, and responsible AI practices.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, able to influence across business and technical teams.
• Proven success managing vendors and delivering outcomes through managed services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition to Microsoft Fabric as the data platform.
• Build AI capability using Microsoft technologies to improve insight, automation, and decision-making.
• Develop Data & AI frameworks that support safe, consistent use across the business.
• Lift Data & AI culture by improving data literacy and ownership of data-led decisions.
• Move business teams toward business-supported BI with insights closer to decision points.
• Partner with stakeholders and vendors to deliver trusted platforms and measurable value.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure outcomes through managed services.

Skills

Data analytics

AI

Data science

Team leadership

Microsoft Fabric

Azure data services

Microsoft AI

Cloud platforms

AI/ML deployment

Responsible AI

Data governance

Vendor management

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Azure data services

Microsoft AI technologies

Job description

At Toyota New Zealand, we’re proud to have been named “the business with the best reputation in the country” in the 2024 Kantar Corporate Reputation Index. This achievement reflects our deep commitment to trust, leadership, responsibility, and fairness, values that drive everything we do.

Now, we’re looking for a forward-thinking Manager Data & AI to help us lead our next digital evolution.

This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll shape and deliver Toyota’s modern Data & AI direction. You’ll lead the move to Microsoft Fabric as our modern data platform, build practical AI capability using Microsoft technologies, and create the frameworks that help our people use data and AI safely, consistently, and with confidence.

Working closely with the business, other data partners, and key vendors, you’ll help Toyota move towards business-supported business intelligence — where teams are enabled to make faster, better, decisions using trusted data, modern tools, and strong Data & AI practices.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the transition to Microsoft Fabric as Toyota’s modern data platform.
• Build practical AI capability using Microsoft technologies, including tools that improve insight, automation, and business decision-making.
• Develop and mature clear Data & AI frameworks that support safe, consistent, and value-driven use across the business.
• Lift Data & AI culture by helping teams build confidence, literacy, and ownership of data-led decision-making.
• Work with business teams to move towards business-supported business intelligence, where insights are owned and used closer to the decision point.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, data partners, and vendors to deliver trusted platforms, quality data, and measurable business value.
• Manage vendor relationships and hold service providers accountable for outcomes, value, and continuous improvement.

You’ll bring:

• Experience in data analytics, AI, or data science roles.
• Proven experience managing data or AI teams, ideally within complex or enterprise environments.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure data services, Microsoft AI technologies, and modern cloud-based data platforms.
• Experience deploying AI/ML models to solve business problems and generate insights.
• Experience designing and embedding practical Data & AI frameworks, including data ownership, quality, security, privacy, and responsible AI practices.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence across business and technical teams.
• Proven success managing vendors and delivering outcomes through managed services.

At Toyota, you’ll join a supportive, future-focused environment where innovation and continuous improvement are part of the culture. We’re not just using data....we’re transforming how it shapes our decisions, enhances our customer experience, and prepares us for a smarter, more connected future.

Kia ora, Comspek and our clients fully support and encourage diverse hiring and inclusive recruitment processes. Don’t meet every single requirement of this job description? That’s ok - You do not need to tick every box or have expertise in the full JD. Comspek is dedicated to building diverse, inclusive and authentic workplaces based on different clients’ needs.