Manager, Taxonomy – MDM

The Manager of MDM Taxonomy is responsible for leading the strategic development, governance, and optimization of product taxonomy structures within the enterprise Master Data Management (MDM) ecosystem. This role ensures that taxonomy frameworks enable data consistency, searchability, analytics, and seamless cross-channel experiences. Operating in a complex distribution environment, the Manager of Taxonomy collaborates with cross-functional teams including product category management, digital, IT, and supply chain operations to drive data quality and usability.

The Role’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute enterprise taxonomy standards, classification systems, and attribute frameworks for the product data domain.
• Define and maintain governance policies and metadata standards to ensure long-term scalability and data integrity.
• Lead a team of taxonomy architects or analysts responsible for classification, attribute management, and hierarchy maintenance.
• Establish operational processes for change control, request intake, enrichment, and validation of taxonomy updates.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for taxonomy-related issues.
• Collaborate with product content enrichment, eCommerce, digital marketing, product category management, and IT teams to ensure taxonomy supports discoverability, navigation, and reporting.
• Act as a bridge between business users and technical teams for taxonomy-related system configurations and enhancements.
• Influence how taxonomy impacts product setup, syndication, analytics, and AI/ML initiatives.
• Define and monitor key data quality metrics related to taxonomy coverage, usage, and completeness.
• Support initiatives to rationalize and normalize attributes and values across systems and platforms.
• Identify opportunities for automation, rule-based classifications, and tooling improvements.
• Provide input into the configuration of PIM/MDM tools and systems supporting taxonomy management.
• Oversee integration and mapping between taxonomy structures and downstream systems (e.g., ERP, eCommerce, analytics platforms).

Skills

• Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail, especially in the context of classification, normalization, and attribute mapping.
• Proficient in data manipulation and analysis using tools such as Excel, SQL, or data visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Attributes

We believe the most productive teams are those that:

• Do work that interests, challenges, and professionally develops them
• Do things that contribute to the success of the company and team
• Like and respect the team members they work alongside every day

As a result, we hire for Culture First, and are looking for candidates who possess the following:

• Action oriented, self-motivated, self-starter with a solution oriented mindset
• Curious, innovative, and creative
• Glass half full optimism
• Natural problem solver, not afraid to ask questions and adept at learning new things rapidly
• Humble Leadership / Team Oriented
• Operates from the position of “do what’s best for the business and team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Management, Data Science, Library Science, Business, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in master data management, taxonomy/classification management, or data governance in a complex enterprise environment.
• Deep understanding of the distribution industry or similar (e.g., wholesale, industrial supply, retail) and associated product data complexities.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining product taxonomies, category hierarchies, and attribute schemas.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, data quality frameworks, and metadata management best practices.
• Hands-on experience with MDM, PIM, or DAM platforms (e.g., Informatica, Stibo, etc.).
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Experience working with or managing taxonomies that support both internal systems and external customer-facing platforms (e.g., eCommerce, catalogs).

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.