Data Architect

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD! This is our purpose. Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS! It’s that simple. If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!

Position Overview

The Data Architect is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the data infrastructure that powers Caribou Coffee's enterprise analytics capabilities. This role owns the reliability, performance, and scalability of data pipelines and the enterprise data warehouse — ensuring clean, consistent, and timely data flows from source systems to downstream consumers. The Data Architect partners closely with Technology, software vendors, and the Business Intelligence & Data Analytics team to implement and evolve the company's data architecture in alignment with its strategic vision.

Core Responsibilities

Data Architecture Design, develop, and maintain scalable pipelines that ingest data from source systems into the enterprise data warehouse. Architect and optimize data warehouse structures for performance, scalability, reliability, and future growth. Design integration patterns and data flows between enterprise applications, APIs, and cloud platforms. Evaluate and recommend data technologies, tools, and architectural improvements that enhance enterprise capabilities. Implement and uphold enterprise data architecture standards and development practices. Maintain technical documentation for data architecture and platform standards. Establish and manage data retention, archival, backup, and recovery processes to support business continuity and regulatory requirements. Provide architectural recommendations and technical expertise to support long-term data platform strategy and scalability.

Cloud Infrastructure, Security, and Governance

Manage and administer cloud data infrastructure (e.g. Azure, Snowflake, or equivalent platforms) including monitoring, troubleshooting, optimization, and issue resolution. Implement and maintain security controls and access management. Support data governance initiatives including data cataloging, lineage tracking, and access management in coordination with technology and compliance teams. Implement and maintain CI/CD practices for data pipeline deployments, ensuring version control and repeatable processes.

Data Enablement (Business Partnership)

Collaborate with internal technology teams and software vendors on system integrations, API connections, and source systems changes that impact data flows. Partner with the Business Intelligence team to understand downstream reporting needs and design warehouse structures that support them. Ensure enterprise data is accurate, reliable, and readily available to support analytics and business operations. Provide technical guidance related to data architecture and platform capabilities.

Skills and Requirements

Brings the Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love. Thrives in a performance-driven environment by taking ownership of outcomes, delivering meaningful contributions, and aligning efforts to team and organizational priorities. Designs scalable data solutions with a clear understanding of how data flows across systems, processes, and business functions. Analyzes complex technical and data challenges, identifies root causes, and implements effective, long-term solutions. Builds strong partnerships with technical and non-technical stakeholders to align priorities, solve problems, and achieve shared outcomes. Takes responsibility for delivering reliable, high-quality data solutions while ensuring ongoing operational excellence.

Qualifications: Required

• 3–5+ years’ experience in data engineering, data warehousing, or a related technical role.
• Proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language used for data pipelines (Python, Scala, or similar).
• Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms (Snowflake, Azure Synapse, Databricks, or equivalent).
• Experience building and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines using tools such as Azure Data Factory, dbt, Fivetran, or similar.
• Familiarity with data modeling concepts including dimensional modeling and star/snowflake schemas.
• Strong understanding of data quality principles and experience implementing validation and monitoring solutions.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with version control (Git) and CI/CD practices for data workflows.

Preferred

• Experience supporting restaurant (QSR), retail, hospitality, or multi-unit operating environments.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Purview.
• Relevant cloud or data certifications (Microsoft Azure, Snowflake, Databricks, etc.).

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation. The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Address: | 3900 Lakebreeze Ave N , Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55429 | Compensation Range: $90,580.00 - $150,966.00 per year *Starting pay is subject to Local and State Minimum Wage regulations. **Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position. The physical demands for this position are reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 4 to 8 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical demands may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations. The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou Coffee reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Brand: Caribou Coffee Caribou Coffee serves high-quality handcrafted beverages and crave-worthy food in more than 800 coffeehouses worldwide. Committed to building personal connections and supporting the communities it serves, Caribou uses premium ingredients like specialty-grade coffee and real chocolate chips in our handcrafted beverages to help create day-making experiences for every guest. Caribou Coffee is part of Panera Brands with Panera Bread and Einstein Bros. Bagels. To learn more, visit cariboucoffee.com.