Job Overview:  

This role oversees vendor, item, cost, and data management activities for assigned accounts, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, profitability, and timely execution. This position is also responsible for training, mentoring, and providing guidance to Data Management Specialists while serving as a liaison between internal departments and external business partners. 

This position coordinates special projects from initiation through completion, including planning workflows, assigning resources, monitoring progress, and providing status updates. The incumbent communicates changes impacting merchandising, sales, suppliers, and customers and ensures the successful setup and maintenance of vendor, item, costing, and data synchronization processes. 

This role also supports continuous improvement efforts by identifying process enhancements, developing tools and reporting metrics, and implementing solutions that improve team efficiency and effectiveness. 

What does it mean to be part of our Information Technology Team?

A role in Information Technology at UNFI involves being a part of the transformation of food for all through many innovative technology products such as myUNFI, our customer ordering platform or our warehouse management systems that optimize service. You will have an opportunity to be a part of the technology journey to transform food for all through collaboration and building solutions across teams that directly contribute to our OneUNFI strategy. Roles include network automation, infrastructure unification and modernization, data services and analytics, and digital offering.

Job Responsibilities:  

·       Coordinate costing, vendor, item management, and data synchronization activities for assigned accounts while providing guidance and support to Data Management Specialists. 

·       Train, mentor, and assist team members with daily operational questions and issue resolution. 

·       Manage and support special projects, ensuring milestones and deadlines are achieved. 

·       Plan workflow assignments and provide regular updates on team workload and project status. 

·       Develop, maintain, and distribute dashboards and reports to communicate project progress, team metrics, and operational performance. 

·       Complete system setup activities, including vendor, item, and costing file configuration for new accounts. 

·       Perform file comparisons and data validation processes to ensure alignment between UNFI and customer systems. 

·       Validate item data and vendor information, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established processes and standards. 

·       Research, analyze, and resolve item, vendor, costing, and data-related issues; escalate concerns as appropriate. 

·       Serve as a primary point of contact for vendors, brokers, merchandising, procurement, and other stakeholders regarding data management inquiries and issues. 

·       Communicate cost, vendor, and item changes to sales, merchandising, and other internal teams. 

·       Collaborate with cross-functional departments to address operational issues, requests, and business needs. 

·       Assist with department training initiatives, process documentation, and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updates. 

·       Provide performance-related feedback and input to leadership for specialist performance and merit review discussions. 

·       Respond to inquiries from customers, internal departments, and external auditors, providing requested documentation and support in a timely manner. 

·       Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and develop tools, reporting, and processes that enhance operational efficiency and team performance. 

·       Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

 Education/ Certifications:  

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience  

 Experience:  

·       5 years related experience  

·       System Implementation experience preferred 

 Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities 

·       Advance Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel along with other Microsoft Office products 

·       Intermediate knowledge of SharePoint and PowerPoint 

·       Strong understanding of costing structures, vendor requirements, and item data elements 

·       Understanding of business systems including UCS Mainframe and eNew Item helpful but not required. 

·       Customer Service Oriented 

·       Good judgment 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. 

 Travel (minor):  

·       This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons. 

 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. 

 About UNFI: We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

Benefits: Competitive 401k, Competitive PTO plan, Remote, Health benefits – first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities.