Job Overview:

The Director of Workforce Planning & Labor Management is responsible for developing and executing enterprise workforce strategies that optimize labor capacity, productivity, and cost across supply chain operations. This role partners closely with Supply Chain, Finance, and HR leaders to align labor planning with demand forecasts, operational rhythms, and long-term business strategy.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Workforce Planning

• Lead short- and long-term workforce planning across distribution network
• Translate volume forecasts into labor demand plans (headcount, skills, shifts)
• Build scenario models (peak, downturns, automation impacts, network changes)
• Partner with Finance on labor budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization

2. Analytics & Insights

• Lead workforce analytics capability (turnover, absenteeism, time-to-fill, productivity trends)
• Develop dashboards and reporting for senior leadership
• Use data to proactively identify risks (staffing gaps, burnout, cost overruns)

3. Workforce Optimization

• Align staffing strategies (full-time, part-time, contingent labor) with demand variability
• Optimize scheduling, shift design, and workforce mix
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on hiring plans tied to forecasts
• Support network planning decisions (open/close/expand sites)
• With a LEAN mindset identify productivity improvement opportunities and partner with operations on execution

4. Stakeholder Partnership

• Serve as a strategic partner to Supply Chain Operations leadership
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Industrial Engineering teams
• Influence senior leaders on workforce trade-offs and decisions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Supply Chain or related field required

Experience:

·        10+ years in workforce planning, labor management, supply chain, or operations analytics

·        Experience in large-scale, hourly workforce environments (distribution, manufacturing, retail, logistics)

·        Strong analytical capability (forecasting, modeling, scenario planning)

·        Experience with LMS tools 

·        Ability to influence senior operational leaders

·        Background in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, HR Analytics, or related field

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

·        Advanced Microsoft Excel (forecasting models, scenario analysis, Power Query)

·        Workforce planning tools & analytics (labor modeling, scheduling systems)

·        Power BI or Tableau (dashboarding, workforce KPIs, labor insights)

·        Data analysis & forecasting (demand planning, capacity modeling)

·        SQL or data querying (workforce and labor data extraction)

·        Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint for executive reporting)

·        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:

·       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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.