Project Manager, Operations Strategic Initiatives – Hybrid - Stillwater, MN

Job Overview

The Project Manager, Operations Strategic Initiatives – Retail is responsible for driving the successful execution of enterprise operational initiatives across CUB. This role ensures strategic priorities are translated into consistent store execution by coordinating cross-functional workstreams, managing implementation plans, removing barriers, and holding initiatives accountable from planning through sustained adoption.

Serving as the central execution lead for Retail Operations, this position partners closely with Operations, Merchandising, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Supply Chain, and external partners to ensure initiatives are delivered on time, aligned across functional areas, and produce measurable business results. Primary areas of focus include shrink reduction, fresh quality, labor optimization, operational standards, and store conditions.

This position owns execution governance, implementation discipline, cross-functional accountability, and enterprise adoption to ensure operational initiatives achieve intended outcomes.

Job Responsibilities

Program & Initiative Execution

• Lead execution of enterprise Retail Operations initiatives from implementation through sustained adoption.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, implementation roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, and execution timelines.
• Monitor initiative progress, identify execution risks, remove barriers, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Coordinate pilot programs, operational testing, rollout planning, and enterprise deployment to ensure successful implementation across stores.
• Drive accountability for initiative deliverables, ensuring commitments are completed and intended business outcomes are achieved.
  
  

Cross Functional Leadership

• Serve as the central coordination point across Retail Operations, Merchandising, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Distribution, Supply Chain, and external business partners.
• Clarify ownership, responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables across multiple workstreams.
• Facilitate collaboration between business partners to proactively resolve execution challenges and prevent project delays.
• Build strong partnerships that enable consistent execution across field and support center teams.
  
  

Operational Excellence & Business Improvement

• Support enterprise initiatives focused on shrink reduction, store conditions, labor optimization, fresh quality, and operational consistency.
• Coordinate implementation of production planning improvements, waste reduction strategies, fresh process standardization, and merchandising enhancements.
• Partner with operational leaders to ensure initiatives are practical, scalable, and sustainable within store operations.
• Monitor implementation effectiveness and recommend adjustments that improve execution and business performance.
  
  

Governance, Reporting & Performance Management

• Maintain governance processes that provide clear visibility into initiative status, risks, milestones, dependencies, and business outcomes.
• Develop executive-level dashboards, scorecards, and status updates for weekly operating reviews, monthly business reviews, and executive leadership meetings.
• Track initiative performance against defined success measures and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain a comprehensive portfolio view of Retail Operations initiatives to ensure priorities remain aligned with business objectives.
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve implementation processes, execution routines, governance practices, and operational adoption.
• Capture and share best practices across initiatives to improve future project execution.
• Support change management activities that strengthen adoption, accountability, and long-term sustainability of operational improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Requirements: Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Project Management, or related field required.
• Five or more years of experience leading cross-functional projects, operational initiatives, or business transformation within a retail, grocery, or multi-unit operating environment.
• Demonstrated success managing complex enterprise initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong project management, organizational, communication, and execution skills.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management experience preferred.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong knowledge of retail operations, merchandising execution, labor management, store operations, and operational improvement methodologies.
• Grocery or fresh/perishable retail experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting shrink reduction, quality improvement, production planning, labor optimization, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance operational priorities, financial objectives, and customer experience.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and shifting priorities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence, align, and drive accountability across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to translate complex work into clear, actionable plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated bias for execution, continuous improvement, and delivering measurable business results.
  
  

Work Environment

Hybrid Role: This role operates in a hybrid work environment, combining time in the corporate support center and retail stores, with remote work. The hybrid model is designed to support collaboration, cross‑functional partnership, and flexibility, while maintaining strong connection to field operations and business priorities. In‑person presence may be required for key meetings, working sessions, and certain phases of project execution.

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.
  
  

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.