Job Overview:

The IT Manager Data Platforms Operations is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and cost efficiency of UNFI’s cloud-based and legacy data platforms. This role focuses on day-to-day operational management of Databricks, AWS services, and enterprise ingestion tools such as Fivetran/HVR, AWS DMS, DataStage, and Informatica, while overseeing an external support team and coordinating vendor relationships. This role will also support BI and analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx) and maintain governance and observability tools to ensure compliance and data quality.

Job Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence

• Ensure day-to-day stability, performance, and SLA adherence across Databricks and AWS services.

• Maintain robust monitoring, alerts, dashboards, and observability for pipelines, jobs, and platform components; drive timely incident response and root cause analysis (RCA) with clear post-incident reviews.

• Enforce secure access, least privilege/RBAC, and compliance across environments, partnering with Security, Data Governance, and Enterprise Architecture.

• Maintain operational processes for legacy systems (e.g., Teradata, Informatica on-prem), ensuring reliability, compliance, and controlled change.

• Oversee operational support for Power BI, Tableau, and Alteryx.

Cost Management

• Monitor and optimize platform costs across cloud and data services.

• Implement cost-control measures and provide regular reporting to leadership.

• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement on budgets, commitments, and true-ups.

External Support Team & Vendor Management

• Direct external support teams for day-to-day operations and issue resolution.

• Coordinate with vendors for troubleshooting, service improvements, and escalations.

• Track and report on SLA adherence and vendor performance.

• Oversee operational runbooks, knowledge base, and handoff procedures between internal teams and external partners.

Governance Tools

• Maintain and operate data governance, MDM, and lineage tools (policies, data quality rules, catalogs, lineage capture).

• Ensure Unity Catalog governance is enforced across workspaces, with consistent naming, tagging, and ownership standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive automation and efficiency in operational workflows.

• Optimize resource utilization and reduce manual intervention.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data analytics, systems analysis, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years in data platform operations or related roles, with experience in leading day to day priorities.

• Comprehensive understanding of the Databricks ecosystem, including cluster management, notebooks, Lakehouse architecture, Unity Catalog, and data observability capabilities.

• Experience with managing internal staff and coordination with external consulting partners.

• Demonstrated success in maintaining high-impact data platforms, with a strong track record of managing complex environments.

• Experience with SAP, master data management, and cross-functional processes across supply chain, finance, and operations.

 Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:

• Deep understanding of governance, security, and privacy

• Expertise in cost optimization for cloud and data platforms.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation and negotiation.

• 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.

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.