Business Planning & Operations Lead, Retail AI/ML

Description

The Business Planning & Operations Lead for Retail AI/ML plays a central role in helping the organization scale its machine learning strategy and execution across Apple's Retail (online and in-store) ecosystem. This leader operates as a strategic partner to senior engineering and product leadership, ensuring that the Retail AI/ML organization has the planning frameworks, operational discipline, and cross-functional alignment needed to deliver high-impact innovation. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and organizational leadership. You will help translate long-term AI/ML vision into clear roadmaps, structured planning cycles, and measurable outcomes while ensuring the organization has the capacity, processes, and coordination required to execute effectively.

A core part of the role is building trusted relationships across a highly technical organization. You will work closely with leaders across machine learning research, applied ML engineering, data platforms, infrastructure, and product teams to align priorities, manage dependencies, and remove operational friction. Success requires the ability to influence without authority, navigate complex organizational dynamics, and bring teams together around shared goals. You will also lead the development and evolution of the operating model for the AI/ML organization, including strategic planning, agile capacity planning, investment prioritization, and executive reporting. This includes establishing planning cadences, defining success metrics, and ensuring leadership has clear visibility into progress, tradeoffs, and resource allocation across initiatives.

Additionally, the role requires strong executive communication and storytelling capabilities. You will synthesize complex technical, operational, and strategic inputs into clear narratives that support leadership decision-making and organizational alignment. This includes preparing executive briefings, developing strategic frameworks, and communicating progress and risks to senior stakeholders.

Ultimately, this role is about enabling the Retail AI/ML organization to move faster, operate more effectively, and scale its impact, ensuring that strategy, resources, and execution remain tightly aligned as machine learning capabilities expand across Apple's products and services.","responsibilities":"Drive Retail AI/ML Strategy: Partner with senior leaders to translate long-term Retail AI/ML vision into clear strategic plans, priorities, and measurable outcomes that align with Apple's broader product and technology roadmap.

Operational Planning & Capacity Management: Lead business planning and agile capacity planning processes across Retail AI/ML teams to ensure resources, staffing, and infrastructure investments are aligned with evolving product and research priorities.

Execution & Program Leadership: Convert strategy into execution by establishing operating cadences, tracking key initiatives, and coordinating complex cross-functional programs across engineering, data science, product, and infrastructure teams.

Organizational Transformation: Identify opportunities to improve how the organization plans, prioritizes, and delivers work, and lead initiatives that drive operational efficiency, scalability, and improved collaboration across teams.

Executive Communication & Decision Support: Develop clear strategic narratives, executive briefings, and decision frameworks that enable senior leadership to understand tradeoffs, align on priorities, and make informed decisions.

Performance & Insight Generation: Establish metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to provide visibility into organizational health, initiative progress, and capacity utilization across the Retail AI/ML organization.

Cross-Functional Alignment: Act as a connective leader across technical and business teams, ensuring priorities, timelines, and dependencies remain aligned as Retail AI/ML capabilities expand across Apple's ecosystem.

Exceptional knowledge of visual design and demonstrated proficiency in the formal elements of design, including typography, layout, balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and unity.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated passion for driving positive change and improving organizational performance.

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Knowledge of the digital/e-commerce landscape and evolving technology

Proven ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to achieve positive outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of 10 years of experience in transformation initiatives, change management, or management consulting.

Proven track record of successfully leading and managing large-scale transformation initiatives.

Experience with various change management methodologies

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field is required

Analyst background required

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant .

Client-provided location(s): Austin, TX

Job ID: apple-200651423-0157_rxr-662

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-03-16T19:39:26