Director, Strategy Implementation

Job Overview:

This retail leadership role serves as a strategic integrator and execution engine for the retail banner. Acting as a true enterprise connector, this leader translates strategy into action, aligns cross‑functional priorities, and drives disciplined execution of the banner’s highest‑impact initiatives. The role requires equal strength in big‑picture thinking and hands‑on problem solving, with the credibility to dive into the weeds while keeping leaders aligned on outcomes.

This individual partners closely with the retail leadership team to shape, sequence, and deliver work that improves financial performance, operational effectiveness, and the associate and customer experience.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Strategy Translation & Execution
• Convert enterprise and banner strategies into a clear, actionable operating plan with defined priorities, milestones, owners, and success metrics.
• Ensure strategic initiatives move from concept to execution, remove friction and accelerate decision‑making.
• Maintain a tight line of sight between strategy, work in flight, and financial/operational outcomes.
• Enterprise & Cross‑Functional Leadership
• Act as the connective tissue across key functions (e.g. merchandising, operations, supply chain, finance, HR, IT, and marketing) to coordinate delivery of our most important strategic initiatives.
• Drive clarity on roles, decisions, and dependencies across complex, multi‑workstream initiatives.
• Influence without authority—bringing leaders together around shared objectives while constructively challenging where needed.
• Financial & Retail Performance Focus
• Bring strong retail financial acumen to all initiatives, ensuring focus on sales, margin, Opex, productivity, shrink, and ROI.
• Partner with Finance to assess tradeoffs, model scenarios, and track results against plan.
• Hold teams accountable to performance commitments and course‑correct quickly when results are off track.
• Operating Discipline & Governance
• Establish and maintain strong operating rhythms (cadence of reviews, dashboards, KPI tracking, executive readouts).
• Drive rigor in planning, prioritization, and execution—balancing speed with discipline.
• Surface risks early and recommend pragmatic solutions.
• Executive Partnership & Communication
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Banner President and senior leaders.
• Prepare executive‑level materials, narratives, and recommendations that enable crisp decisions.
• Ensure consistent messaging and follow‑through across the banner.
• Leadership Characteristics
• Big‑picture thinker with roll‑up‑your‑sleeves execution mindset—comfortable moving from strategy to details and back again.
• Collaborative and influential, with strong tact and emotional intelligence; able to challenge constructively and build trust quickly.
• Decisive and appropriately aggressive, with a bias for action and results.
• Highly disciplined, organized, and resilient in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.
• Connector of people and ideas, naturally pulling teams together to deliver outcomes.
  
  

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Retail Management, or a related field preferred.
  
  

Experience:

• 5 years of progressive leadership experience in retail, consumer, or multi‑unit operating environments.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise or banner‑level initiatives that drive measurable business results.
• Strong understanding of retail P&L drivers and operating levers.
• Proven ability to work across functions and levels, including executive leadership.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and problem‑solving skills.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
• Strong financial and technical acumen
  
  

Work Environment:

Hybrid Role:

• This position follows a hybrid schedule working in office several days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.
  
  

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.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.