Job Overview:

The Manager, IT Data Products role is responsible for providing leadership, organization, and direction to achieve corporate and department strategy through the execution of projects and initiatives within the Data Platforms and Products team. In collaboration with Business Stakeholders, this role is accountable for developing and leading solution definition, documentation of business requirements, support for translation to technical requirements, and adherence of solutions to defined data standards, data management and data governance processes.  This role also provides solution architecture leadership, ensuring data products and platforms are aligned with enterprise architecture, integrate effectively with wholesale and retail systems, and support end‑to‑end business process capabilities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leads definition, planning, and delivery of data products and solutions by collaborating with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and external partners to align on goals, scope, and value.

• Oversees business requirements, data discovery, and user experience activities, ensuring clear translation into actionable technical requirements and project execution plans.

• Provides solution architecture direction, including conceptual and logical designs, integration approaches, API and event strategies, and alignment with enterprise standards and governance.

• Ensures data products integrate effectively with wholesale and retail systems (ERP, WMS, TMS, merchandising, pricing, digital commerce, finance, supply chain) by understanding system interactions, data flows, and process dependencies.

• Translates wholesale/retail operational processes (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, inventory management, promotions, category management) into scalable data capabilities that support enterprise modernization and process optimization.

• Manages execution across multiple initiatives, including planning, prioritization, resource and budget oversight, vendor engagement, and communication with business and IT leadership.

• Contributes to refining delivery methodologies, architectural practices, and operational processes to improve efficiency, solution quality, and cross-functional alignment.

• Manages, coaches, and develops a team of product managers, business analysts, and contingent staff, including performance management, staffing, and professional development.

• Provides subject matter expertise on wholesale/retail systems and data flows, advising teams on system impacts, integration considerations, and architectural alignment.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of data science, computer science, information systems, or software engineering, or equivalent work-related experience required

Experience:

•  8+ years of relevant Information Technology experience required

• 6+ years of successful data solutions or custom software solutions implementation experience required

• 3+ years of management experience leading a team(s) composed of associate and contract resources in multiple locations, including offshore required

• 3+ years of product development and delivery experience required

• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicting approaches and align to corporate and department strategic roadmap 

• Previous experience developing, setting, and managing department level goals and priorities

• Proven ability to manage in a matrix structure

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of data product development and delivery, including business analysis, requirements definition, and user experience collaboration.

• Solid understanding of data management, ETL processes, business intelligence, analytics, and reporting standards.

• Experience with modern data and analytics technologies, including AWS, Databricks, Power BI, Tableau, and Alteryx.

• ERP experience preferred, including SAP, Oracle Fusion, or Oracle E Business Suite (EBS), with a focus on integrating ERP data for analytics and reporting.

• Knowledge of Wholesale, Retail, Transportation, Distribution, or Manufacturing industries.

• Working knowledge of Agile / iterative software development methodologies.

• Strong understanding of solution and data architecture, including API design, integrations, event driven architecture, and data modeling.

• Experience translating complex business processes from systems such as ERP, supply chain, inventory, transportation, and warehouse management into technical and data requirements.

• Ability to assess technical trade offs and recommend scalable, reliable solutions aligned with business goals.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast paced environment.

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to learn new systems and tools quickly.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer focus.

• Ability to lead and develop teams across distributed locations through mentoring and clear goal setting.

• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to work independently when needed.

• Good judgement is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available. 

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.